Car chase havoc sparks safety fears

Police are concerned at the increasing number of pursuits involving stolen vehicles in Northland

Three police pursuits, including a chase on Ninety Mile Beach that left a stolen car on its roof and another tracked by helicopter, have officers fearing for their own and the public's safety.

Police are concerned at the increasing number of pursuits involving stolen vehicles in Northland and say fleeing drivers put innocent people and police officers in danger. Over the Easter weekend, Northland police were involved in three pursuits, including one on Ninety Mile Beach where the driver of a stolen vehicle ended up flipping in soft sand before running off.

In another pursuit that lasted two hours, a police car travelled in front of a fleeing vehicle to warn oncoming motorists, while a police helicopter tracked the route of the stolen car from the air.

In a pursuit west of Whangarei, the specialist armed offenders squad was called on to help search for a stolen vehicle believed to have firearms aboard that failed to stop for officers. Whangarei/ Kaipara area comm-mander Inspector Justin Rogers said any pursuit was of concern to police. Those involved were motivated to evade capture and in a number of instances were driving vehicles beyond their capability.

"Recent incidents have also involved younger offenders, who do not fully appreciate the danger they are placing themselves and others in when they flee from police."

Mr Rogers said that, while police had to abandon some pursuits, there was still a high chance offenders would be caught through further investigation and information from the public. He pointed to one of the most recent incidents, where the fleeing vehicle was located by police, who continued patrolling the area after the pursuit had finished.

"We are actively investigating vehicle crime and offenders involved," Mr Rogers said.

On Monday, a car stolen from Kerikeri and suspected of being involved in a burglary at Mangonui, was seen near Awanui at 11.20pm.

When police tried to stop the car it fled towards Kaitaia, then Ahipara, where the driver went on to Ninety Mile Beach. An officer came across the vehicle on the beach after it had rolled in soft sand and the two occupants had scarpered.

On Sunday, when police tried to stop a driver in a stolen car about 2am near Whangarei, the person fled. The car was road-spiked on the southern side of the Brynderwyns but continued on to Wellsford, where the driver turned on to State Highway 16. More road spikes were laid but the driver continued.

Concerned police placed a vehicle in front of the car to warn oncoming motorists.

The police Eagle helicopter was also called in to help while police followed the car on the ground.

When it was safe, police managed to box the fleeing vehicle in and take it off the road near Kaukapakapa, two hours after the pursuit began. Three men from Auckland were arrested. Later the same day, a car was driven off from police at Tikipunga at 5.30pm.

Armed offenders squad members were called in after it was suspected firearms were in the stolen vehicle, which was later found abandoned in Tatton Rd, Maungatapere.

A police dog was used and an air rifle and shotgun were discovered.

An 18-year-old man found walking on Tatton Rd was arrested and faces charges of unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle and two of unlawful possession of a firearm.