Police car ramming admitted

Reparation will be sought for damage to the three stolen vehicles and the police car. Photo / APN

An Auckland man who led Northland police on a high-speed chase between Paihia and Whangarei for more than two hours in which he rammed a patrol car has admitted all his offending at his first court appearance.

William Puna, 28, unemployed, pleaded guilty in the Whangarei District Court this week to three charges of unlawfully taking motor vehicles, and single charges of failing to stop, driving while disqualified, careless driving and aggravated assault.

He has been remanded in custody to appear for sentencing on March 18.

Police summary of facts stated Puna forced entry into a Mazda Familia at Mt Wellington in Auckland on Monday and smashed its ignition assembly to start the car.

He then drove the vehicle to Paihia where police attempted to stop him on Tuesday but gave up due to the speed at which Puna was driving.

Puna pulled over in an industrial area, dumped the car, got into an Isuzu Bighorn and drove towards Whangarei.

A marked police car saw the stolen vehicle travelling south near Tapuhi Rd, Hukerenui and gave chase.

Puna pulled into Tapuhi Rd and as an officer exited the police vehicle, he reversed the Isuzu Bighorn into the police car, causing extensive damage.

He then drove off at speed and shortly after, he entered Motatau Area School where he transferred his tools into another car and attempted to drive away.

The school caretaker saw him breaking into a staff member's car and approached him but Puna sped away.

He approached a police vehicle, narrowly missing it after the officer took evasive action.

The stolen vehicle left the road and skidded down a bank after Puna failed to take a bend. He then ran across a farm and a police dog tracked him in scrub.

Puna made a written statement and admitted taking three vehicles and ramming a police car.

Reparation will be sought for damage to the three stolen vehicles and the police car.