Police tracking a stolen vehicle in Auckland's Sandringham got more than they bargained for when they found a firearm.
Three people have been arrested and charges are being considered.
It comes after police camera operators spotted the stolen vehicle travelling along Karangahape Rd about 2:40am on Wednesday.
"The vehicle was displaying mismatched plates, which caught our police camera operator's keen eye and they have continued to monitor this vehicle's movements," Auckland City West Area Prevention Manager inspector Wayne Kitcher said.
"While this was happening, the police Eagle helicopter deployed to the area and took over monitoring the vehicle."
The vehicle came to a stop near Cambourne Rd in Sandringham.
But when police approached, the driver fled.
"Eagle kept watch until it came to a stop on Arabi St," inspector Kitcher said.
The driver – a 39-year-old woman – was taken into custody at the scene.
Two passengers ran away, but they didn't get far.
A police dog handler tracked down one of them - a 26-year-old – and took them into custody.
"The second passenger, aged 35, ran through a number of properties before climbing onto a roof on Oxton Road. He was soon brought down and taken into custody," inspector Kitcher said.
"A police dog handler has also located a firearm near where the vehicle stopped on Arabi St.
"I know our staff are just as pleased as our communities are when firearms are taken out of circulation."
