Burglary suspect on the run after robbery in Kaitaia

Police are on the hunt for a 21-year-old burglary suspect.

Police are looking for a 21-year-old Takahue man who is suspected of involvement in a burglary in Kaitaia, then led police on a lengthy pursuit.

Senior Constable Nigel Turnbull said Rore White, who was already subject to arrest (for breaching supervision), was actively avoiding police. He was believed to still be in the Far North.

Police had responded to a burglary at Harrisons' yard in North Rd in the early hours of Saturday morning and arrested two people, he said. They had identified White as a third offender.

Burglary suspect Rore White

He was found a short time later in a vehicle, leading police on a pursuit to the Herekino/Takahue area, where he drove on to a forestry road and into a stream.

He ran off along the stream bed, evading the pursuing officers.

A police dog was called but was unable to track him.

Road spikes had been deployed, unsuccessfully, in an attempt to end the pursuit, during which White twice stopped and backed into the police vehicle.

He also rammed two locked gates on Waiotehue Rd before abandoning the vehicle.

Anyone with information regarding White's whereabouts is asked to contact the Kaitaia police station on (09) 408-6500, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555-111.