14-year-old driver in 140km/h police chase

Police involved in the pursuit of a stolen car at speeds exceeding 140km/h were surprised to find the driver was aged 14 and carrying three others as young as 11.

The BMW was stolen when its owner went to use an A™ machine in Havelock North on Saturday afternoon, The Dominion Post reported.

Police spotted the car and gave chase but pulled out when the BMW hit speeds of at least 140km/h.

The driver eventually pulled over in the Hastings suburb of Flaxmere as another police car approached.

Senior Sergeant Bob Gordon of Hastings said the car's occupants were aged 11-14 and three of them were brothers.

A 14-year-old was charged with stealing the vehicle and several driving offences and would appear in the Youth Court tomorrow. The occupants had been referred to youth aid.

The car was returned undamaged to its owner.

- NZPA