The man who allegedly shot at a police officer from point blank range may be hiding out in motels around Auckland.
Murray Toleafoa, a 30-year-old Samoan man with gang connections, sparked a manhunt when he allegedly shot at an officer out of a car window in the early hours of Friday morning.
His alleged co-offender Nadia Ball, 20, appeared at the Auckland District Court this morning on one charge of possessing a pistol.
Detective Inspector Scott Beard this afternoon said investigators had evidence suggesting Toleafoa had been hiding out in motels.
He warned motel workers to be vigilant when taking bookings because there was an armed gunman on the run.
"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."
Tolofea allegedly fired on the 40-year-old police officer as he was taking the keys off a motorist on Mayoral Drive at 1am on Friday.
Witnesses said the gun looked like a police-issue Glock.
The car drove off at high speed and was recovered an hour later in nearby Mt Eden.
Police this morning said they were closing in on Toleafoa.
Mr Beard yesterday warned that anyone hiding Toleafoa faced a criminal investigation.
"There's someone out there ... who knows where Murray Toleafoa is. Ideally what we want is for Murray Toleafoa to hand himself in to the police. We will not stop hunting him until he is found."
Border authorities are on alert to prevent Toleafoa leaving the country.
Detectives have found numerous pieces of evidence including shrapnel from the bullet fired on Mayoral Drive and a loaded bullet magazine found in a home near where the getaway car was abandoned.
The items are being forensically examined.
Police have warned against approaching Toleafoa, who they say could be armed and dangerous.
He is affiliated with the Tribesmen motorcycle gang.
