Stolen car with dog inside sparks dangerous high-speed chase in Auckland

A dog has been reunited with its family after it was driven across Auckland “dangerously at high speeds” inside a stolen vehicle.

Police were called to Lincoln St, Ponsonby, at about 1pm on Tuesday after a dog walker’s vehicle was stolen with border collie Otis inside.

Senior Sergeant Tony Ngau Chun, Auckland City east area response manager, said the vehicle was initially seen in Onehunga.

“Spikes were deployed, but the driver increased his speed and continued northbound,” he said.

“Cameras monitored the vehicle as it was driven dangerously at high speeds and overtook other vehicles.”

The vehicle was tracked to Mt Wellington where the driver failed to stop for police.

Otis the border collie was taken on a trip in a stolen vehicle across Auckland, but has been returned home. Photo / New Zealand Police

Witnesses to the allegedly dangerous driving helped police by indicating the vehicle’s direction of travel.

The vehicle was soon found at a nearby property and police established a cordon and found the driver.

“Despite an outfit change, the man was confirmed to be the driver, and he was arrested,” Ngau Chun said.

A 31-year-old man was charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, driving a motor vehicle in a dangerous manner, failing to stop and driving while disqualified and was to appear in Auckland District Court today.

Otis was found safe and well after his cross-city journey and reunited with his dog walker, who was “happy to see him”.

“The driver put himself and the public at serious risk with his driving, and it was incredibly fortunate this did not end in tragedy,” Ngau Chun said.