By SCOTT INGLIS
A man stole a police car and torched it after crashing a stolen vehicle during a high-speed chase north of Auckland.
The man was last night still on the run after stealing another car and dumping it on a roadside.
The drama started about 1.20 pm yesterday when Ruakaka police clocked on radar a north-bound Subaru Impreza at 160 km/h on State Highway 1 at Mata.
The $24,000 car had been stolen from a car dealership in Grey Lynn on November 5.
The man failed to stop and there was a high-speed chase which lasted for up to 15km along Mangapai Rd, before he crashed the car through a fence and into a paddock.
He ran off but was caught by a constable. It is not known if the man was hurt in the crash.
But as the constable was putting him into the patrol car, the man got behind the wheel, started the car and drove off, leaving the constable behind.
It is not clear whether the keys were in the ignition.
The fugitive rammed a second police car on nearby Tauraroa Rd so hard that it could not be driven any further.
He drove to Tauraroa School and torched the patrol car, destroying it.
After that he stole a Toyota Corolla and dumped it 10km away on Waiotira Rd.
He then fled and has not been seen since.
Police patrols and dog handlers were last night still hunting the man.
Police do not know who he is but have described him as European, aged between 35 and 40.
The Whangarei police area controller, Inspector Paul Dimery, told the Herald he was expecting a report on the matter.
None of the police involved was hurt.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.