Officers pull over fake undercover police car in Northland

Officers in Northland who pulled over a fake undercover police car - complete with flashing red and blue lights - found a lot more than they bargained for.

Senior Sergeant Clem Armstrong said the driver caught officers' attention when he slipped into a police convoy outside Kawakawa Police Station last Thursday evening.

A quick check of the Commodore, which had police-style red and blue lights concealed in the grille, revealed the registered owner had been disqualified from driving.

The real police signalled the driver to pull over, arrested him and searched his car.

"During this search, we located a loaded firearm underneath the driver's seat as well as a 3D-printed gun, a stash of ammunition and methamphetamine. It was quite the unexpected find," Armstrong said.

"Our team is extremely pleased to be able to remove these items from our community and hold this offender to account."

Court documents show 30-year-old Aaron Katipa of Pakuranga, Auckland, appeared in the Kaikohe District Court last Friday.

He was charged with impersonating police, possession of a methamphetamine pipe, possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a sawn-off shotgun, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm magazine, and driving while disqualified.

Katipa, whose profession is listed as a mechanic, is due back in court for a list hearing on 20 January.

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