Armed police in arrest drama

A suspected gang member has been arrested after armed police surrounded a car in the centre of Palmerston North.

Several police followed a blue Holden commodore into Coleman Mall about 4.30pm yesterday.

A witness, who did not want her name published, said after the car parked at the end of the street police swarmed around it with rifles pointed at the vehicle.

She said the car's female driver emerged first, before a man got out holding a toddler, who he placed on the ground.

"A 3-year-old came out with a male carrying her," she said. "He put her out of the car and the police said ‘come on sweetie' and she ran to the lady who I presume is her mum."

The man, who was dressed in a Headhunters shirt, was then arrested and placed in a police car.

The witness, who was having coffee in a nearby cafe, said the incident was "very dramatic".

Neither the woman nor the child was harmed during the incident.

Police could not be reached for comment.

- © Fairfax NZ News