Two shots were fired at a Napier police car during a pursuit last night, with the fleeing vehicle later found 400km away in Auckland.
Officers on patrol tried to stop the car in the suburb of Pirimai at about 10pm on Tuesday. It failed to stop, and police began a pursuit.
Eastern District commander Superintendent Joel Lamb said that as the car approached the intersection of Taradale Rd and Coventry Ave, a passenger in the back seat leaned out holding what officers believed was a firearm.
"Staff have then heard two distinct gunshots as the firearm was discharged," he said.
"Fortunately, neither of our officers were injured and the patrol vehicle did not sustain any damage."
Hours later, the car was spotted heading north on the Waikato Expressway towards Auckland.
Lamb said police later located the vehicle at the Manurewa property, with people at the address helping police with their enquiries.
“Presenting a firearm at a police officer is a serious escalation that puts our staff and the wider community at risk,” he said.
“This behaviour is entirely unacceptable. We are taking this incident extremely seriously and will be pursuing all lines of enquiry to locate the offender and hold them accountable.”
Counties Manukau police were helping with enquiries in Auckland.
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