Police carry out armed traffic stop after dramatic car chase in Northland

A Facebook Marketplace transaction led to a dramatic chase, resulting in a car being spiked and an armed traffic stop. Photo / NZME

A Facebook Marketplace transaction gone wrong has triggered a dramatic car chase in the Far North.

About 8pm yesterday, police were alerted to a chase on State Highway 10.

A man in his vehicle was reportedly pursued by three youths, 16 to 19 years old, in a separate vehicle.

Far North Area investigations manager Detective Senior Sergeant Christan Fouhy said the chase followed a dispute over a Facebook Marketplace transaction near Kāeo.

The transaction related to a vehicle being sold.

“It was also reported that weapons may have been presented at the victim,” Fouhy said.

Several units responded, and the pursuing vehicle was spiked near Taipa – almost 40km from Kāeo.

“Units carried out an armed traffic stop, taking the three males in the vehicle into custody without further incident,” Fouhy said.

Police are investigating and charges would be laid, he said.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.