Hunt for waitomo gunman continues into third night

Police searching for a gunman on the run following a series of incidents in the King Country over recent days are urging anyone assisting him to think of the possible consequences.

Western Waikato Area Commander, Inspector Paul Carpenter, said as the hunt for 24-year-old Otorohanga man, Te Rangi TRANGMAR, heads into its third night Police had a message for the offender and his associates.

"We ask that you take stock of what has already taken place and takes steps to contact us to de-escalate the situation which is very, very serious.

"It is not too late to step back from what has occurred before anyone becomes hurt or worse, something that no-one, not Te Rangi's family or Police, wants to happen."

Mr Carpenter said the operation to locate TRANGMAR included local staff, members of the Waikato Armed Offenders Squad and the Auckland based Police Eagle helicopter.

The incident began on Sunday night when Police were called to a Mangamahoe Rd address after TRANGMAR was involved in an armed confrontation with a neighbour over a motorbike.

TRANGMAR is alleged to have punched his neighbour and threatened him with a firearm before leaving and then returning with a steal bar used to damage several vehicles and the neighbour's home.

"He then fled, responding Police searched several properties but were unable to locate him and he resurfaced last night when he allegedly stole a quad-bike from an Otewa farm and rode it to an Ireland Rd property where he threatened a mother with a gun.

"Leaving that address we know he took the quad bike to a bar in Waitomo Village which he tried to rob and where he fired his weapon before it was wrestled off him by bar patrons."

Mr Carpenter said the Armed Offenders Squad had remained in the area supporting Police efforts to locate TRANGMAR when the call about the attempted robbery came through.

"As a result a number of new cordons were set up and a series of searches conducted today to try and locate him.

"These searches will continue and we appeal for the offender and anyone assisting him to stop and think about the situation they now find themselves in and to make contact with Police."

Te Rangi TRANGMAR, also known as MARSHALL, is described as a male Maori, 187cm tall, of medium to athletic build with a distinctive swastika tattoo on his left cheek.

Anyone who sees TRANGMAR or knows of his whereabouts is warned not to approach him but to ring 111. Alternatively information can be left anonymously on the Crimestoppers crimeline 0800 555111.

ENDS

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