Hastings motorist in court after police chase

Reckless car thief crashes twice and drives through fresh concrete while fleeing police. Photo/Google

A man who allegedly caused two crashes and made a mess of a large amount of wet concrete while fleeing police has appeared in court.

The 20 year-old was charged with a range of offences after police claim he stole a WorkSafe ute from a Hastings address.

Road workers spotted the ute on Middle Rd in Hastings just before midday and called police after becoming suspicious.

Police then saw the ute on Windsor Ave, where it failed to stop when instructed. They began following the vehicle but stopped in Hastings CBD due to the man's manner of driving, Stevenson said.

Shortly afterwards, the vehicle crashed into the back of a vehicle stopped at traffic lights at the intersection of Karamu Rd and St Aubyn St, he said.

It then drove through a large amount of wet concrete at road works, causing significant damage.

It was later seen in Frimley and followed by an unmarked police car, but "not at any significant speed" according to Stevenson. The ute then cut a corner and struck a car head-on at the intersection of Chatham Road and Walton Way. The low-speed crash did not result in injuries.

The ute fled again, and police say they followed briefly but stopped due to his manner of driving. The vehicle was tracked down on Flaxmere Ave where it was spiked by a stationary police unit.

The driver ditched the vehicle and ran after 20 minutes of intermittent following by police. He was arrested a short time later.

Police claim stolen items from another burglary in Havelock North were found in the car.

He was later charged with aggravated failing to stop, reckless driving; two counts of failing to stop and ascertain injury, burglary and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

He appeared in the Hastings District Court on Friday and entered no pleas. He was remanded in custody.