Police warning after fleeing vehicle rammed by member of public in Gisborne

Police have asked the public not to take matters into their own hands after a vehicle fleeing officers was deliberately rammed in Gisborne.

Police said they spotted an allegedly stolen vehicle about 9.45pm last Friday on Lytton Rd near Parkinson St, Elgin.

The vehicle failed to stop for officers and spikes were deployed, according to Senior Sergeant Caroline Johns.

“While the vehicle was successfully spiked, it continued to flee at low speed,” Johns said.

“A member of the public has then intentionally rammed the fleeing vehicle, bringing it to a stop.”

She said the occupants of the allegedly stolen car attempted to flee on foot before being arrested by police.

“While we understand the intention of the public was to help police stop the offending, we strongly discourage people from taking matters into their own hands and putting their safety at risk,” Johns said.

A nearby resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said it was a friend of theirs who decided to ram the car.

“The car went around the block a couple times with a buggered tire with two to three police cars following, refusing to pull over,” the resident said.

“On the last round that the car went around, a friend decided to ram into it.

“He would have done it to stop them for the police to catch.”

Police said they have arrested and charged two 17-year-olds in relation to the incident. They will appear in the Gisborne District Court on July 25.