Police are keeping watch on an area of dense bush near Te Haroto, 69km northwest of Napier, for signs of a man who ran off from a stolen vehicle after a brief pursuit last night.
Senior Sergeant John Lovatt said police highway patrol officers had been alerted that a van stolen in Rotorua earlier in the day may be heading toward Napier.
At 9pm an officer stationed near Tarawera saw the stolen van go by and set off in pursuit.
After a short distance the driver pulled over and appeared ready to give himself up. However, as the police car rolled to a stop behind him the man fired up the engine and reversed toward it.
The officer was forced to quickly back off.
He called for assistance from Napier and a helicopter using a powerful searchlight joined several police cars in the pursuit.
Around Te Haroto the van pulled over and the driver ran off into dense scrub and bush.
A police dog search of the immediate area failed to locate him.
Mr Lovatt said the man, described as Maori and aged in his late 30s or early 40s, would have spent a chilly night in the open as conditions were cold and foggy.
Police believe they know the identity of the offender.
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