Man points gun at police officer

A man has been arrested after a rifle was pointed at a police officer in Katikati early this morning.

A constable responded to a report of suspicious activity after leaving the home of a witness in a police patrol car about 2.30am when she spotted a man near the intersection of Fairview Road and Robinson Street.

When she stopped to speak to the man he dropped bags he was carrying and swung a rifle toward her. The officer immediately left the area and called for assistance.

The area was cordoned off and Armed Offenders Squad was deployed. A bag containing a rifle and ammunition was located and a short time later a man who emerged from a nearby address was arrested without incident.

Property from a burglary in the town has also been recovered

The 20-year-old local man will appear at Tauranga District Court later today charged with burglary, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, using a firearm against a law enforcement officer, unlawful taking of a vehicle.