Biker runs out of fuel during getaway attempt, teen arrested after 150km dash in separate incident

Three people, including a teenager, have been arrested after two separate instances where they failed to stop for police and traversed around Auckland trying to evade arrest.

One chase only ended when a man associated with the Head Hunters ran out of fuel and was forced to stop in Auckland.

In a separate incident, the other vehicle failed to stop for police twice and travelled at least 150km from Waikato to South Auckland before being spiked on a motorway.

Those offenders drove the vehicle from Matamata to Puhunui near Papatoetoe, a 1 hour and 45-minute trip and were stopped on the Southern Motorway near the Puhunui Rd off-ramp.

A police spokesperson said the stolen vehicle was originally seen in the Mt Maunganui area and refused to stop when signalled to by police.

The spokesperson said the car was spotted again at 3.44am on State Highway 27 near Matamata.

“The vehicle was signalled to stop but fled and was not pursued.

“Spikes were successfully deployed as the vehicle travelled north towards the Auckland region.”

The spokesperson the Eagle helicopter tracked the vehicle as it entered the motorway network near the Bombay Hills and continued north on SH1, before moving on to the motorway.

“Eventually, just before 5.30am, it came to a stop on the motorway near the Puhinui Rd offramp.”

The 29-year-old driver and 17-year-old passenger were arrested “without further incident”.

The spokesperson said there was some disruption this morning as the scene was cleared and thanked the public for their patience as this was done.

The spokesperson said charges are being considered.

Earlier, a 31-year-old man, who is associated with the Head Hunters, traversed Auckland as he attempted to flee police on a motorbike.

Waitematā North Area Prevention Manager, Senior Sergeant Roger Small said the man was spotted driving with “excessive speed” near Wesley at 1.30am.

The man continued south as police “continued to main observations” until the bike got off the motorway near Manurewa.

“The motorbike wasn’t pursued, but our concerns grew given the bike was being driven at extremely high speeds as it re-entered the motorway network.”

The Eagle was deployed while the bike continued to drive at speed north on the Southern Motorway, joining the Northwestern Motorway.

“The bike was continuously driven at high speeds out towards Helensville.”

Police finally caught up with the man after his bike ran out of fuel in Parakai.

“Our staff were quickly on scene and got the man into custody without further incident

“Police also located and recovered a bag containing shotgun ammunition near the scene.”

He is due to face charges in the Waitākere District Court today including dangerous driving, unlawful possession of ammunition and failing to stop.

“It’s incredibly fortunate that anyone going about their lawful business was not harmed by this man’s behaviour, and in fact that the man himself did not succumb to serious injuries either,” Small said.

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