"Police hit and run driver sought"

Police are continuing their investigation into the hit and run of a Hawke’s Bay police officer, who remains in a stable condition in Hawke’s Bay Hospital.

The constable was hit by a car around 12.30am this morning on Farndon Rd, Clive when he was working as part of a team breath-testing drivers. The checkpoint was near the intersection of SH2 and Farndon Rd. The car involved had turned off the highway onto Farndon Rd, crossed over the centreline and hit the officer.

The car did not stop and drove off at speed. It was found crashed more than 2km away. One passenger of the car was caught by police, but the other car occupants are still to be found. The officer, who does not want to be identified, has leg injuries and grazing and cuts to his face and arms.

Detective Sergeant Jason Crowe said police were looking for anyone else who was in the silver Honda CRV at the time of the incident. Napier man Robbie Richards has connections to the vehicle and police would like to speak to him and any other people who were in the car.

Richards is described as a thin male Maori, about 1.7m tall and has a large Black Power fist tattooed on his left cheek. He has two warrants to arrest relating to other matters.

Mr Crowe said it was important that police spoke to the car occupants.

“This was a terrifying experience for the constable, who was merely going about his normal duties trying to keep our roads safe. We will be doing our utmost to find the person responsible for this and holding them to account for their actions,” Mr Crowe said.

Anyone with information about Robbie Richards or any other people who were in the vehicle last night, should contact Mr Crowe at HB Police on 06 8310700.

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