Toxic paste scare followed by 10-hour armed police stand-off

KATEE SHANKS | 10th October 2007

A TOXIC paste which led to a 10-hour stand-off between an Ohope man and armed police may have been pest repellent.

The drama in Pohutukawa Ave unfolded at 2am after a man allegedly smeared toxic paste on his neighbour's home. The substance was initially thought to be cyanide because of its consistency, but the Fire Service later said they believed it to be a pest repellent which could cause nausea but was not harmful to humans unless ingested. The area came to a standstill as Tauranga armed offenders squad members converged on the man's house after he refused police entry and refused to come out. Throughout the morning long periods of eerie silence were broken only by the sound of police negotiators trying to coax a man out of his home, and occasional explosions as tear gas was fired through his windows. The man's immediate neighbours had been evacuated and others were told to stay indoors. Ten hours after the drama began, the long-time Ohope resident and sole-occupant was led from his house wearing a blue bathrobe. His leg was bandaged and there were cuts and scratches on his face and body.

He sat on the ground before being placed in a waiting police car.

Senior Sergeant Bruce Jenkins said the man was taken to the Whakatane police station for medical treatment and questioning. He was later charged with being unlawfully on a property.

"This incident did start as a dispute between neighbours but because we couldn't open any lines of communication with the man in his house, every precaution was taken to protect the public and the police involved," Mr Jenkins said.

"The armed offenders [squad] were brought in as they have the training and resources to deal with these situations."

Both the man and his neighbours are well-known Whakatane business people.

Ohope was cordoned off at the top of Hillcrest Gorge and near the Maraetotara Reserve at 7am.

Children who usually travel to school in Whakatane were unable to get out of the area and Ohope School was closed for the morning.

Police negotiators were constantly urging the man to leave his house with his hands visible and told him they would not be leaving the area until he had come out.

"Your home is surrounded by armed police - please come to the window and talk to us or let us know a number we can call you on," the negotiators repeated.

Almost every window in the house was smashed or had a hole through it from the 14 or more tear gas canisters fired into the property.

When the man failed to come out despite the tear gas, a specialist armed offenders dog was flown in by helicopter from Hamilton.

Police also called for thermal imaging equipment to pinpoint exactly where the man was inside the house.

Barry Rosenburg, who lives across the street, described the man at the centre of the incident as "a great guy" who was always ready to help.

"Of all the unsavoury people in this world, he is not one of them."

However, one of the man's immediate neighbours, said he had also had problems with him.

Mr Jenkins confirmed the home was known to police but would not say why.