Two men who fled police in dense bush at Rūātoki, and entered the Whakatāne River in attempts to get away, have appeared before the courts.

Whakatāne Senior Sergeant James Renwick said the men first came to police attention on Friday morning because they were in a ute which had been reported stolen from Taupō earlier that day.

“On seeing the police, the two men inside the vehicle ran into nearby bush.”

A police dog handler was called in from Tauranga and tracked through dense bush off Paekoa Road for several hours while police from across the Eastern Bay set up cordons.

Mr Renwick said both men entered the Whakatāne River in attempts to get away.

A constable on the riverbank placed one of the men under arrest as he exited – and attempted to re-enter – the river, but the second man was not immediately located.

Mr Renwick said police feared he had been swept downstream, and a jet boat was tasked to assist in a search of the water and shoreline.

“The police Eagle helicopter was deployed down from Auckland to assist and upon arriving immediately found the second man covered in mud cold and wet.

“The stolen car was searched, and a firearm was located inside it.”

Mr Renwick said both men had warrants for their arrest. They have since appeared in Whakatāne District Court on charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and firearms offending.

The incident unfolded over the course of six hours and involved 20 police officers.