Bloodied man caught after petrol drive-off, crash

Police have arrested a Paihia man they say was driving this car when it crashed near Haruru Falls.

A man seen running bloodied from a crash after fleeing police has been found and arrested.

The drama began Last Thursday when police say a motorist tanked up at a Kerikeri service station and left without paying.

An officer spotted the maroon Hyundai Sonata on Puketona Rd a short time later and turned on her lights and siren.

The driver turned into Haruru Falls Rd and allegedly tried to speed off but lost control at the first corner, just past the bridge over the Waitangi River, and skidded across the road into the bush.

Two people, a man and a woman, were arrested at the scene.

Sergeant Kevin Milne, of Kawakawa police, said a member of the public reported seeing a man with blood on his hand running towards the river.

Blood was found in the car near the driver's seat but a search of the area failed to find a third person.

Later that evening, however, police located a 25-year-old Paihia man and identified him as the driver.

He had previously been forbidden from driving so police returned to the crash scene and impounded the car.

He was charged with failing to stop for police, reckless driving, threatening behaviour and presenting a firearm. He was due back in the Kaikohe District Court today.

A 21-year-old woman from the Gisborne district, who was arrested at the crash scene, was charged with theft of petrol in relation to the Kerikeri drive-off. The other man was released without charge.

Mr Milne said the car had been linked to a number of other petrol thefts around Northland.

The police investigation was continuing and it was likely more charges would be laid.