Man arrested after high speed chase through Whangarei

A man has been arrested after a high speed chase through central Whangarei after he was disturbed during an alleged burglary.

Police say the man had a woman and three-year-old child in the vehicle during the pursuit, which only ended when police deployed road spikes on a rural road north of the city.

The drama started about 9.10am today when a property owner disturbed a man breaking into a shed on a property on Tangihua Rd, Maungakaramea, about 19km south-west of Whangarei.

The alleged burglar took off in a Mitsubishi Pajero and police spotted the vehicle near Pompallier College, on State Highway 14 about 20 minutes later.

The driver then took off, and led police on a chase through central Whangarei before heading north.

The man is alleged to have reached speeds of up to 85km/h through the city, and his driving forcing oncoming vehicles to swerve to avoid a collisions.

He was alleged to have travelled in excess of 110kmh on winding rural roads north of the city.

He was eventually stopped on Rushbrook Rd, Ruatangata, about 19kmn north-west of Whangarei after police used road spikes to deflate the vehicle's tyres. The vehicle travelled about another 800 metres before stopping.

The man ran from the vehicle, but he was quickly arrested and police discovered there was a woman and three -year-old child in the vehicle.

Police are still interviewing the man and have yet to lay any charges.