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A van driver has been arrested after he allegedly rammed two police cars, one multiple times, in a dangerous dash through South Auckland streets overnight.
The driver, a 23-year-old man, is facing multiple assault and driving charges, police said.
Police were alerted to a Hiace van driving erratically andrunning red lights through Manukau just before 1.45am, Counties Manukau Central police Inspector Warrick Adkin said.
“The Eagle helicopter was soon overhead and monitored the van until ground staff arrived,” Adkin said.
“Units attempted to stop it on Manukau Station Rd, resulting in the successful deployment of road spikes.”
Despite the road spikes, Adkin alleged the van driver rammed a stationary patrol vehicle several times, before turning his attention to a second police car.
One police patrol car was extensively damaged during the pursuit, but no officers were injured, Adkin said. Photo / Glenn Taylor
The driver fled in the van after hitting the second vehicle, he said.
The pursuit ended shortly after, with officers stopping the van at the intersection of Te Irirangi Drive and Great South Rd.
The 23-year-old is due to appear in the Manukau District Court today, charged with intentional damage, dangerous driving, resisting police, failing to stop and four counts of assaults with intent to injure.
“One vehicle has been extensively damaged as a result of the incident, but first and foremost none of our staff were injured as a result of the man’s dangerous driving this morning,” Adkin said.
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