Public help leads police to teen after Dargaville car theft

Police managed to apprehend a 15-year-old accused of stealing a car after a three-hour hunt. Photo / NZME

A teenager accused of stealing a car fled from police, leading to a three-hour search and a foot chase.

Whangārei-Kaipara Area Commander Maria Nordstrom said a woman noticed her car was missing on Wednesday afternoon after visiting friends in Dargaville.

Officers were able to find the car, but the driver had fled.

Members of the public pointed police to a rural property, Nordstrom said.

“Police attended, but the youth had already fled into nearby bush.”

Officers, including a dog unit, tracked the teen for about three hours.

Nordstrom said he had managed to hitch a ride into town.

A 15-year-old boy was arrested at 9.20pm after a short foot chase.

Nordstrom thanked the public for their help in finding him.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the people who stepped up and helped us – their local knowledge and willingness to assist made a real difference.

“We’re committed to holding people to account for their behaviour, and thanks to that partnership, we’ve done just that.”

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.