The incident unfolded in Carlyle St. Photo: Google MapsA man who burst out of a Dunedin property carrying what police thought was a chainsaw was actually wielding an electric hedge trimmer. When officers pointed their Tasers at the man he dropped the trimmer, fled to his car and drove off down Carlyle St at 10.30pm, Sergeant Matt Lee said. The man reversed down the street but was stopped by a second police vehicle further down. Police held the man in custody overnight and he would appear in Dunedin District Court today with his bail opposed. The man was charged with threatening behavior likely to cause violence, failing to stop when required, escaping from police custody and resisting police.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 19, 2026 00:35 UTC