Police: Dramatic end for boat chase

Police embarked on an early morning chase after a boat was allegedly stolen.

A driver towing a boat allegedly led police on a chase from Te Aroha to Tauranga.

In a statement, Senior Sergeant Carl Purcell said police stopped a fleeing driver in Merrilees Rd Tauranga about 5.30am yesterday.

The pursuit began when a man contacted Te Aroha police reporting his neighbour's boat was being stolen.

The man then followed the vehicle until police arrived.

Mr Purcell said Te Aroha police signalled for the vehicle to pull over but the driver did not stop.

The driver allegedly drove over the Kaimai Range followed by police units from Te Aroha, Cambridge and Matamata before Western Bay of Plenty police joined the pursuit.

Mr Purcell said the tyres of the vehicle and boat trailer were deflated using spikes.

The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was stopped and arrested on Merrilees Rd after being pushed to the side of the road, police said.

-A 48-year-old old man appeared in Tauranga District Court yesterday charged with reckless driving, failing to stop, driving while suspended, theft and unlawful taking.

The man will appear in court again today for a bail application.