Four men are in police custody after fleeing almost 100km from the scene of a “violent” home invasion involving firearms in Auckland early this morning, police say.

The men were arrested at 2.22am when their vehicle - which had earlier been spiked near Oteha Valley, before its driver continued north “driving at dangerous speeds” - came to a stop near Kaiwaka, said Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Alfred Zhou, of Waitematā CIB.

“Armed police took the four occupants into custody without further incident. Thankfully no one else was injured during the incident, which played out over almost 100 kilometres.”

The home invasion - understood by the Herald to have occurred at an address on Akatarawa St and involving offenders brandishing firearms at the occupant - occurred about 12.30am, Zhou said.

“Three men, all carrying firearms, have entered the address and threatened a man before assaulting him, but no firearms were discharged during the incident.

“The victim received minor injuries from this assault and was later attended to by ambulance staff.”

St John ambulance officers attended the scene. Photo / Hayden Woodward 

Police in Auckland's Massey where a "violent" home invasion involving firearms took place early this morning. Photo / Jason Dorday

A Herald photographer said a silver car was spotted leaving the area and was followed by police as it fled north of Auckland along the motorway.

At least 20 police cars were involved, including dog units, while a police helicopter hovered overhead.

The offenders fled in a vehicle and entered the Northwestern Motorway (State Highway 16) travelling north, Zhou said.

“Several police units signalled for the driver to stop, but he did not, and took off at speed. We decided not to pursue due to the manner of driving but tracked the vehicle north along State Highway 1 with the help of the police Eagle helicopter.”

The car was spiked multiple times. 

The car was spiked multiple times before stopping south of Kaiwaka on its rims, the Herald photographer said.

The Herald understands officers following the car were instructed to carry their M4 rifles due to the possibility of a shotgun being carried by the offenders.

Zhou said one of the front tyres on the vehicle was successfully spiked near Oteha Valley, but the driver continued, driving at dangerous speeds.

“As the vehicle passed Moir Hill, the occupants threw out several boxes, bags, and other items from the vehicle onto the Puhoi to Moir Northern Motorway, which police had closed to other motorists.

“We were able to successfully spike the remaining front tyre on the vehicle, but the driver has continued, driving on rims.”

Police were considering charges for the four men arrested.

Hato Hone St John sent an ambulance, a manager and a rapid response vehicle to the Massey address after being contacted at 12.47am, a spokesman said.

“One person was assessed and treated at the scene by the crew.”

The car was spiked multiple times before it stopped on its rims almost 100km from where the incident took place. Photo / Hayden Woodward 

Resident woke to sounds of ‘shouting and fighting’

One neighbour on the street detailed the ordeal extensively and said she was “on edge” and frustrated by the crime in Auckland.

“It’s too close to home. I haven’t been able to sleep it’s just done my head in.

“What if it was a case of mistaken number, what if they accidentally came here?”

There had been more cars than usual in the driveway two days prior to the incident, she said.

“There was just a funny vibe yesterday afternoon.

“I heard some yelling… and I went to the side door and some girls were yelling, ‘Call the cops’.”

Armed police arrived at the scene very quickly, she said.

Another resident said she woke up to sounds of “shouting and fighting.”

“I heard a boom but I wasn’t sure if it was a gunshot.”

“Police were asking questions, waking up everyone,” one resident on the street said.