Police in pursuit of offenders in the Central North Island

Armed police are still on the street.

Extra police patrols were deployed in the wider Ohakune region tonight, after the arrest of one woman from Miro St this afternoon.

Police have searched the house and grey Suzuki Swift parked down the driveway.

The two officers made phone calls in the house, before one of them said out loud “I think I’ve left the keys in the ignition”.

One of the women was seen holding her head in her hands, crying, before looking at New Zealand Herald staff yelling, “Don’t be nosey”.

Police have arrested a fugitive and two others at Waiouru.

I can assure the public that Police will take whatever steps are appropriate to keep the community safe.

Police are advising members of the public in the central North Island to go about their normal business but maintain heightened awareness as a large team of armed police staff searches for offenders wanted following an armed incident near Whanganui this morning.

An armed police officer at an address in Ohakune during the search for Dolphy Kohu and his associates.

But on July 1, Corrections applied to recall Kohu to prison and a warrant to arrest was issued, the Parole Board said.

Kohu has a history of violent offending and was released from jail in June for a 2012 shotgun attack on a Whanganui family.

“I’m pleased that there was no further violence involved against police staff and that our communities will have the security of knowing Mr Kohu has been apprehended tonight”.

Kohu was not subject to electronic monitoring.

Central District Police Commander Superintendent Sue Schwalger says Police is firmly focussed on locating Dolphy Kohu and his associates after a Police auto was rammed and Police officers were fired upon after their vehicle was taken about 2.30am today.

The driver of the vehicle wouldn’t stop, and so police chased it all the way to Raetihi where it came to an abrupt halt after apparently collecting a fence.

One of the occupants of the fleeing vehicle then fired shots at the two police officers, at close range, at around 3.30am near Ohakune.

“This police vehicle has since been recovered”. The officers are shaken but are unhurt.

The stolen police auto used by the fugitives remains in situ at the intersection of Ngamokai and Whangaehu Valley Rd, on the outskirts of Ohakune, this afternoon.

Annabel Dekker sheltered police officers after they were shot at.

Three schools and a kindergarten were closed during the day but all roads remained open.

Kohu’s grandfather spoke to Radio New Zealand this morning, urging him to turn himself in so he is not shot by police.