How did he do it? New Zealand police hunt for 18-year-old who was handcuffed when cop car stolen on Tuesday
Car was stolen with a police firearm inside
Police are seeking 18-year-old Maaki Emery who has a warrant to arrest for escaping police custody.
The warrant is in relation to an incident in Murupara on Tuesday evening where Emery is alleged to have stolen a police car - with a police-issue firearm inside - from Oregon Dr in the Bay of Plenty town around 7pm local time.
The car was later found on Gibbs Rd - some 15km away - shortly before 10.50pm that night.
Emery was reportedly handcuffed at the time the car was stolen, after he had been arrested.
Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Andy McGregor confirmed yesterday that two shots were fired at the vehicle as the man drove off in the stolen car.
The officer then seized a civilian car to pursue the young man.
Dozens of police and the Eagle helicopter joined the hunt, scouring the town and surrounding district for hours before the stolen car was found.
“A police-issue firearm was secured in the car at the time the car was stolen, and was still secured in the car when it was recovered last night,” McGregor said.
The search is believed to have been hampered by the fact the offender had access to police radio in the car and could potentially listen in to police communications.
McGregor said a review of the incident, which will include the theft of the car and the subsequent response, will take place.
“This was a serious incident and we are very focused on understanding exactly how it occurred and any lessons which can be learnt from it.”
