The partner of a man accused of shooting at police was arrested when she was found hiding in the back of a car police suspected had been used to steal fuel from a forecourt.
Nadia Ball, 20, was arrested on Sunday night in connection with the shooting by Murray Toleafoa in central Auckland on Friday.
Police say Toleafoa fired a pistol at a constable who pulled over their car in Mayoral Drive after he and Ball were spotted "acting suspiciously" in nearby Queen St.
The bullet came so close to hitting the officer it left burn marks on his forearm.
Ball was driving. The pair dumped the car in Mt Eden. Toleafoa, considered dangerous and still armed, remains on the run.
Ball was arrested two days later when a motorway patrol officer spotted a car pulling out of a service station and thought the occupants might have stolen petrol.
Detective Inspector Scott Beard said: "From the way they drove off, he thought they may not have paid for their petrol. He called on other staff and then they stopped the vehicle.
"They could see some movement in the back - like someone was trying to hide."
When they checked the vehicle, Ball was found in the back seat.
She was arrested about 10pm, questioned until 5am and charged with unlawful possession of a pistol. She appeared in the Auckland District Court yesterday. Mr Beard said the charge related to Friday's incident.
At her brief court appearance, Ball did not speak but stood with her hands behind her back.
Her lawyer said she would be defending the charge and a hearing date was scheduled for July 2.
Ball was remanded on bail to a Glen Innes address with strict conditions including a 24-hour curfew. She was also ordered not to have any contact with or attempt to contact Toleafoa. She was also banned from driving, being in the Auckland CDB and possessing a firearm.
Ball was led from court to a waiting car by a police officer. She covered her face and refused to speak to waiting journalists.
Mr Beard said the hunt for Toleafoa would continue until he was caught.
Anyone found helping him hide would be charged.
"Murray Toleafoa, give yourself up. Make it easy," he said.
Police had searched a number of properties in Otara and Glen Innes, but they were not yet "clear", Mr Beard said.
"We're conscious of places we've been that he might see as safe to return to. It may well be that he's moving from address to address."
Toleafoa could also be staying in motels around the Auckland area, he said.
"Information ... suggests Mr Toleafoa is hiding out with associates in either motels or private addresses.
"For the sake of the safety of moteliers, their families and law-abiding guests, we are reiterating our appeal to Mr Toleafoa to hand himself in to police and end this phase of the investigation safely."
Mr Beard has not ruled out charges against the driver of the car Ball was found in.
"We will have a look at that at the end of this. Our primary focus is to locate Murray Toleafoa."
- Anna Leask, New Zealand Herald
