Arrest ends armed offender alert

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Police used smoke grenades and flashbangs before arresting a man who had barricaded himself in a rural house during an armed offenders' squad alert near New Plymouth yesterday.

Armed police had earlier blocked off a road just south of Oakura after a domestic dispute.

The drama began at 2.21pm when police were called to the Upper Weld Rd address and ended more than three hours later with the arrest of a 59-year-old man.

Weld Rd was blocked off at the intersection with SH45 which stopped some residents getting home. An ambulance was also on standby at the intersection.

Road spikes had been set up to prevent the man escaping.

Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward said uniformed police had been called to the address earlier in the day after reports of a domestic dispute.

"The female and family members got out of the house and alerted police," Mr Coward said.

The AOS was called in about 3.15pm when the family reported there were firearms in the house.

Mr Coward said armed police cordoned off the property.

Smoke grenades and thunder flashes could be seen going off from the state highway about a kilometre away.

Mr Coward said the man was found barricaded in the house about 5.30pm.

He was arrested and charged with male assaults female and unlawful possession of firearms. He will appear in New Plymouth District Court today.

Weld Rd resident Marcus Gawler was playing golf when his wife called to say a neighbour had rung her to say there were armed police running around.

"It's not a nice feeling," Mr Gawler said while waiting for the road to be re-opened.

"It's always a bit scary when there's guns involved. You just hope everyone is all right, that's the most important thing."

Pete Bourke's ute got two flat tyres after he ran over road spikes coming down the road.

Mr Bourke said he wasn't aware what was going on and had driven over the spikes without realising.

"I hope and pray nothing bad has happened," he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News