Police arrest gang members

Press, 22 December 1978, Page 4

Police arrest gang members

PA New Plymouth. Armed police arrested six members of the Mongrel Mob when they moved in on a house at Manunui, near Taumarunui, last evening, after a six hour seige. The police nad sealed off the house, which contained about 25 gang members, after shots had been heard late yesterday afternoon.

The police had earlier searched the house and seized several weapons, including three rifles, two knives, a sickle and four baseball bats.

Inspector H. R. Nicholas said from the scene late last evening that nobody had been hurt.

He said he expected the operation to be completed by early thia morning.

The arrested persons would face charges in the Magistrate’s Court at Wanganui this morning, he said. The police said the gang group had been in the town since Wednesday, when about 10 local members were joined by 15 visitors from Taranaki.

They had a confrontation with the police outside the Taumarunui Hotel at about 4.30 p.m. yesterday after police had searched the house and three gang cars. The gang moved back to the house and shortly aftei shots were heard.

The police sealed off the area, the armed offenders squad was called in. A watch was kept until about 11 p.m. when the large police contingent moved in.