A 15-year-old girl who ran away from her Timaru home on Tuesday night was found safe and well at a High St house in Waimate yesterday morning after an armed offenders squad callout.
Sergeant Mike van der Heyden, of Waimate, said the girls' parents contacted police about 7am yesterday with concerns for her welfare after they had received a phone call from her asking to be picked up and taken home. When her parents visited the address, they were confronted by two men, one of whom held what appeared to be a pistol.
Canterbury police armed offenders squad members and Waimate police visited the address and found the girl in a vehicle outside.
Sgt van der Heyden said the girl was uninjured and was returned safely to her family.
Four men at the house were being spoken to in relation to possession of replica firearms, drugs and an air rifle. No arrests were made.
A nearby resident, who did not want to be named, said from 3am yesterday screams and shouts had been coming from a ''beat-up old Holden station wagon'' parked under trees on the front lawn of a High St property.
The resident said there had been a ''disturbance'' going on between a young woman, and a young man and for a time they were out in the middle of High St arguing.
When the police arrived, the couple were inside the car.
''She hopped out ... and walked off.''
The resident said police - ''three boys in black'' - had rifles aimed at the man and talked to him.
''The discussion started at 8am and went on for a couple of hours. I lost interest in the end.''
The resident said police left the scene about 11am.
Police said inquiries were continuing and charges were likely.
- by Chris Tobin
