Arrest follows pursuit through Kaimai Range after reports of assault

The allegedly stolen vehicle crashed at the intersection of SH29 and Belk Road. Photo / George Novak

A man has been arrested after two police chases through the Kaimai Range this morning.

A police spokeswoman said a man reportedly disturbed a woman at an Old Kaimai Rd property about 9.30am and assaulted her.

The man left the property in a vehicle which was later spotted by police on State Highway 29. A pursuit began after the driver allegedly failed to stop.

The spokeswoman said the police pursuit was abandoned due to the manner of driving.

Police laid road spikes on the highway, near Tauriko, and the vehicle crashed.

An overview of the pursuit. Source: Bay of Plenty Times

The spokeswoman said the man fled the crash scene and allegedly stole another vehicle.

"The driver then crashed the second stolen vehicle and, shortly after, was arrested by police near Belk Rd and SH29," she said.

Detectives were currently investigating each scene, the spokeswoman said, and no charges had yet been laid.

Police were seen near the scene of the crash. Photo / George Novak

Several police cars were seen at the Belk Rd intersection with SH29 this morning.

A caller to the Bay of Plenty Times earlier this morning said a car appeared to have crashed down a bank into bush.

Today'scrash followed a fatal collision in the Kaimai Range yesterday, where a man died near Old Kaimai Rd.

Read more here.