Tauranga fleeing driver and attempted carjacking: Two men charged

The incident unfolded in the early hours of Thursday morning. Photo / Supplied

Two men have been arrested after fleeing police and an attempted carjacking in Tauranga.

Police saw a vehicle driving at speed on SH2 near Kairua Rd about 4.20am on Thursday and signalled it to stop.

Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Flowerdew-Brown said the vehicle instead did a U-turn and drove on the wrong side of the road towards the Police vehicle.

The vehicle was then seen travelling in convoy with a second vehicle, and on the wrong side of the road in the Mangatawa area, Flowerdew-Brown said.

“Police attempted to stop the vehicles, but were forced to take evasive action when one of the vehicles drove directly at them.

“Officers maintained sight of the vehicles as they travelled towards Matapihi, with one of the vehicles being spiked on Matapihi Station Rd a short time later.”

Flowerdew-Brown said the driver abandoned the car with the spiked tyres and fled in the other vehicle.

Police monitored the vehicle as it drove towards Mount Maunganui.

Just before 5.20am, the vehicle was driving the wrong way along Takitimu Drive, where it narrowly avoided a collision with a truck.

Flowerdew-Brown said the vehicle then slowed to a stop, forcing a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction to also stop.

“One of the occupants has exited the vehicle and it is alleged they attempted to carjack the stopped vehicle.

“Following the unsuccessful carjacking, they fled on foot.”

A Police dog unit tracked the pair and just before 8am, two males were found and taken into custody.

The accused are due to appear in Tauranga District Court today.

Flowerdew-Brown said two men, aged 21 and 22, will appear in the Tauranga District Court today, charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, reckless driving, attempted robbery, attempted unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and two charges of burglary.

Inquiries into the incident are ongoing, and police are appealingwitnesseds or anybody with information to contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online at 105.police.govt.nz, using the file number 260514/0580.