Shotgun threat to Waiouru officers

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 393, 2 July 1991, Page 1

Shotgun threat to Waiouru officers

Two Waiouru law enforcement officers were threatened with a sawn off shotgun on Saturday night, after approaching a motorist on State Highway One. Police Constable Pat Tasker and Traffic Officer Mike Lenihan, travelling in a marked patrol car, had tried to stop a white 1977 Holden utility at about 11.40pm when the vehicle, with two occupants and c arry ing two motorcy - cles, began slowing as if to stop, then speeding away. About three kilometres further north on the Desert Road the ute did stop and the traffic officer approached, however

the vehicle drove off with the officer's arm caught in the window. He managed to free his arm, and the officers continued the pursuit and the vehicle stopped again. It was then that the occupants threatened the officers with the sawnoff shotgun. The armed offenders squad was called and several road blocks set up, and the ute later found, minus the motorcy cles. Police believe the offenders escaped out of Waiouru on the motorbikes. They also believe the vehicle was involved in a robbery at a Palmerston North petrol station earlier.