A West Coast man is facing charges after a motorist was allegedly hijacked at gunpoint and made to drive him some distance.
The driver managed to alert staff at a Christchurch service station, who then contacted police.
Officers soon tracked the car and a 29-year-old man was arrested ‘‘without incident’’ at Lake Lyndon in Canterbury.
The alarm was raised at 1.47pm yesterday by staff at the service station who told police a customer said he was being forced to drive to the West Coast by a man with firearms.
After an extensive search, the vehicle was found on State Highway 73 and followed by Christchurch police, before the arrest at Lake Lyndon. Several firearms were found in the car.
Detective Sergeant Craig Johnson said today the 29-year-old had been charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and one charge of unlawful possession of ammunition.
He was to appear in the Christchurch District Court today.
Det Sgt Johnson said the man and driver were known to each other, and inquiries were continuing.
- ODT online and NZME
