Hunted man turns himself in 

Source: NZPA

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A Lower Hutt man on the run from police has turned himself in.

The man allegedly pulled a hand gun at a police officer at a checkpoint in Rata Street at around 9.30 on Thursday morning.

Police have been searching for the man throughout the Wellington region but the 21-year-old handed himself in at the Lower Hutt police station.

Inspector Geoff Gwynn says it has been a worrying and long day for police and the public and they are pleased the hunt is over.

The Armed Offenders Squad was called to the suburb of Naenae and residents and pupils at a school put in lockdown.

The man pointed a handgun at a police officer during a routine vehicle stop in Naenae on Thursday morning, Inspector Geoff Gwynn says.

He fled on foot leaving his vehicle behind.

The officer was shaken but unhurt.

About 40 police, including the Armed Offenders Squad, were hunting the gunman including executing a series of search warrants across the Wellington and Hutt Valley region.

Gwynn said they believed they knew who they were dealing with.

Rata Street School in Naenae was put into lockdown shortly after the incident happened outside the school. Students had to stay indoors for an hour as police searched the area.

A school spokeswoman said classes later returned to normal.

The man was not considered to be a risk to the public. His family said he was carrying only a BB gun.