By 1news.co.nz and is republished with permission
Five young people have been arrested after their alleged attempts to flee police in Auckland’s Papakura last night ended with a police car being rammed on the North Shore, around 40km away.
The incident unfolded shortly after 10pm when officers spotted a stolen vehicle entering the Southern Motorway at Papakura.
Police signalled for the driver to stop but instead they took off “at speed” along the motorway heading north.
“A pursuit was not initiated due to the manner of driving, and the police Eagle helicopter was deployed and tracked the vehicle, providing commentary to ground units,” relieving Tāmaki Makaurau road policing manager Inspector Juliet Burgess said.
The vehicle exited the motorway at Wairau Valley and the driver stopped on Hillside Rd
Police car towed after allegedly being rammed in fleeing driver incident
The five occupants of the vehicle, aged between 13 and 17, were all arrested on Auckland’s North Shore.
At this point, police units arrived and surrounded the vehicle.
“The driver has attempted to flee but was unsuccessful, ramming the police vehicle in front and damaging it,” Burgess said.
Two officers in the rammed vehicle suffered minor injuries and were taken to Auckland City Hospital for checks.
The five occupants of the allegedly stolen vehicle, aged between 13 and 17, were all arrested without further incident.
A 17-year-old male is scheduled to appear in the North Shore Youth Court today facing charges of motor vehicle theft, failing to stop, possessing offensive weapons, driving without a proper licence, and driving recklessly causing injury.
A 15-year-old male is also set to appear in the same court, facing motor vehicle and offensive weapons charges.
