A 27-year-old Dunedin man has appeared in court following an armed robbery and police chase in rural Otago overnight.
Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Joshua Sinclair Hair was arrested by the police early this morning at Momona, about 25km from Dunedin.
His arrest came after a gunpoint robbery and two police chases inland from Dunedin.
Police received a report of a man entering a woman's home in Waitahuna, presenting a firearm and stealing property about 10.30pm yesterday, police said.
The alleged offender's white Mazda was spotted by officers in Milton, about 30km from Waitahuna, shortly after the incident.
Police followed the vehicle before abandoning the pursuit for safety reasons.
The vehicle was again seen by police about 1.30am in Waihola, about 15km from Milton.
Police followed the vehicle about 20km north until it was stopped in Momona.
Drugs and ammunition were located in the vehicle, police said.
Police arrested Mr Hair at the scene.
Court documents show police found more than 500 rounds of .22-calibre ammunition in the vehicle as well as a small axe.
Inquiries to locate the firearm allegedly used in the robbery were ongoing, police said.
Mr Hair has been charged with armed robbery, threatening to kill, two counts of reckless driving, two counts of failing to stop for police, possessing an offensive weapon, possessing ammunition, possession of cannabis, driving while disqualified and refusing to supply blood to police.
He has been remanded in custody by consent and will reappear in the Dunedin District Court later this week.
Police said anyone with information about the incident should get in touch.