Armed police bags fugitive

Lin Ferguson | 29th July 2010

A fugitive described as armed and dangerous  was arrested by armed officers near Marton yesterday.

Whanganui Armed Offenders Squad and police staff from Marton were involved as Waikato detectives arrested Colin Kiriona, 25, at a rural property outside the town about 1.30pm.

The patched gang member was wanted in connection with a series of alleged violent domestic assaults against his estranged partner in the Waikato.

Kiriona had been the subject of extensive searches  by an armed police team around the Waikato, King Country and Whanganui areas  in recent days.

He had been on the run since the woman, who had allegedly been held against her will, fled a house in Nawton, Hamilton,  and raised the alarm about 8.30pm last Wednesday.

The woman claimed she was held from Tuesday through to Wednesday night, during which time she was allegedly seriously assaulted, with her two children, aged 7 and 3, present.

Kiriona also allegedly assaulted the woman at a Ngaruawahia address two to three weeks ago and a firearm was discharged at the property.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Thornton, of the Hamilton CIB, said Kiriona's arrest was as a result of good team work, not just by members of the various police districts, but with the public's involvement as well.

"At this time I'd like to thank the members of the public who throughout this case have provided us with timely, accurate sightings of this man," he said. "Information from the public went a long way in enabling us to affect this man's arrest without any harm to him, the public or our staff and we are grateful for that.

Mr Thornton said Kirioina had been charged with assault and was last night being interviewed in relation to  other offences. It was probable additional charges would be laid.

A 19-year-old woman found at the property with him was also being interviewed in relation to what, if any, assistance she provided him while he was on the run and if she had enhanced his ability to avoid arrest, Mr Thornton said.

Kiriona is being held  at the Whanganui Police Station and  may appear in Wanganui District Court today. Efforts to transport him to Waikato to appear in the Hamilton District Court were being hindered, police said. Hamilton district police communications manager Andrew McAuley said  Kiriona was not "being very co-operative".

"We may be unable to facilitate moving him to Hamilton and will have to take him into the Wanganui District Court."

Kiriona was expected to face a variety of charges in court.