Stolen taxi chased by police through Tauranga

UPDATED 3PM: The three youths who were caught by police yesterday morning have appeared in Tauranga Youth Court.

Two 15-year-olds and a 17-year-old appeared in the youth court today and all were remanded in custody to next appear in the same court on Monday.

Automatic suppression applies to all youth court cases.

No pleas to the charges have been entered.

The three were aggravated robbery and further charges may be laid.

EARLIER: A stolen taxi van was chased by police throughout Tauranga city yesterday.

On Sunday night, a taxi driver was allegedly robbed of his van by three teenagers in Hillcrest, Hamilton, Detective Sergeant Craig Rawlinson of Western Bay of Plenty CIB said.

In the early hours of Monday morning, police spotted the stolen van while on patrol in Lower Kaimai.

The youths did not stop for police and sped away down Cambridge Rd, on to Takitimu Dr, across the Tauranga Harbour Bridge, down Hewletts Rd then on to Maunganui Rd.

The van was abandoned on State Highway 2 near ASB Baypark Stadium adn the three youths ran from the van.

One of the youths was caught at this time and the other two were found in the Matapihi area shortly before midday.

A 17-year-old male and two 15-year-old males will be appearing in the Tauranga District and Youth Courts today in relation to aggravated robbery.