A man has been arrested after a gun was pointed at an officer, cars taken and a chase around much of Otago that began on Saturday night.
Jesse Nash. Photo: NZ Police
Jesse Nash, 38, was arrested at a Milton property at 10am today after it was surrounded by police and the armed offenders squad. It follows a more than 10-hour search of the South Otago town.
Nash was tracked by two police dog handlers.
Acting Southern District Commander Acting Superintendent Darryl Sweeney earlier warned that Nash, who has links to Waimate and Timaru, was dangerous and should not be approached.
"The man failed to stop for police about 6.30pm on Saturday. A pursuit was then initiated and the vehicle came to a stop near Cromwell.
"The driver of that vehicle presented a firearm at an officer, before taking a police vehicle and fleeing the scene.
"He then travelled towards Alexandra, abandoning the police vehicle and taking a vehicle from a member of the public."
Sweeney said police from Dunedin and Queenstown areas responded with two helicopters and armed offenders support.
"The vehicle the man took was recovered in Milton around 11.45pm, where he fled on foot.
"There are no police issue firearms or equipment outstanding and as a precaution Southern District has general arming in place."
Sweeney said the officer initially involved has been offered full support after this event, and an investigation team has been set up.
"We would urge the public to be alert, but not alarmed, and as mentioned report any sightings or information to police on 111."
The manhunt started after a vehicle of interest failed to stop for police about 6.30pm on Saturday.
The second car was found abandoned in Milton at 11.45pm.
Sweeney said the pursuit was initiated and the vehicle came to a stop near Cromwell.
The driver then presented a firearm at police, before taking a police vehicle and fleeing the scene along State Highway 8.
The driver has then abandoned the police vehicle near Signal Creek, and taken a vehicle from a member of the public.
The member of the public was shaken, but unharmed.
The police vehicle was recovered. No police issue firearms had been taken.
The man has then travelled south along SH 90, and continued driving.
- This story was first published on the Otago Daily Times website