Man charged with kidnapping after woman held hostage at knifepoint in South Auckland mall

November 9, 2018

Shoppers were evacuated as police negotiated with the man.

Police have charged a man with kidnapping after he allegedly took a woman hostage with a knife at Westfield Manukau this morning.

A police spokesperson said they were called to the mall at 8.40am.

The event has now been resolved and the woman is unharmed.

A video posted online showed a man holding a woman around the neck and what appeared to be a knife.

Police say the first officer who arrived at the scene immediately began negotiations with the alleged offender.

They also stated that the victim was unknown to the man who continued to hold her hostage at knifepoint.

Police negotiated with the offender for approximately 40 minutes before he dropped his knife on the ground and released the victim.

The offender was immediately apprehended and taken into custody without further incident.

Witnesses reported that police at the scene were armed, and one told 1 NEWS the victim appeared to be pregnant.

“There were cops with a rifle, and with handguns”. 

A 30-year-old man has been charged with kidnapping and is due to appear in the Manukau District Court tomorrow. 

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