Man found holding a loaded crossbow after a crash in Palmerston North

10:45 am today

Weapons seized by police after a man was found with a loaded crossbow.

Photo: Police/Supplied

A 22-year-old man was found holding a loaded crossbow on Saturday in Palmerston North after police responded to a crash alert.

About 1.40am, police got a call generated from an automatic crash alert on the corner of Bourke St and Walding St.

Police said they heard one "hello" before the call was ended by the person and attempts to call the person back went unanswered. Officers were then dispatched to the crash alert's location.

Manawatū acting area commander inspector Phil Ward said a car had crashed into the side of a commercial building on Bourke St and the man was allegedly trying to hide weapons.

"The man who had reportedly been driving was standing next to the vehicle, uninjured, reportedly holding a cross bow that was loaded and ready to fire - however, he dropped this immediately when challenged by officers.

Weapons seized by police after a man was found with a loaded crossbow.

Photo: Police/Supplied

Ward said after police searched the car and the nearby area they found the man was allegedly trying to hide an arsenal of weapons in the bushes.

Police found and seized a stolen .22 rifle, an air rifle, four samurai swords in sheaths, a machete, a cross bow and arrows, a large hunting knife, and a large amount of ammunition.

The man was due in Palmerston North District Court on June 18, facing a range of charges including driving with excess breath alcohol, careless driving, unlawfully possessing a firearm, possession of offensive weapons, and possession of a knife in public.

Ward commended the work of officers and staff in the Emergency Communications Centres for their quick response.

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