Another police unit then saw the vehicle about ten minutes later and road spikes were deployed as the vehicle travelled towards Ashhurst.
Ward said police officers followed the vehicle at the legal speed limit.
At 7.35am, the spiked vehicle stopped on State Highway 3, near Hacketts Rd. The police who were following were still about a kilometre away at the time.
“Police began receiving reports that the occupants, one of whom appeared to be armed, had stopped traffic on the highway and had taken two vehicles from innocent motorists,” Ward said.
“The victims who had their vehicles taken were shaken, and one has been treated for a head wound. Given the immediate threat to the public, a pursuit was then authorised.”
Police chased one of the vehicles through Palmerston North for “some time”.
Residents reported police cars “screaming” back and forth past their homes. One said they woke to police sirens at about 7.45am.
“I ran outside and an undercover cop had gone flying past and then about a minute later two marked police cars went past both going separate ways.”
Police called off the pursuit when the driving became too dangerous. They pulled to the side of the road and stopped.
A short time later, the wanted vehicle crashed as it headed south on Ruahine St.
Ward said police recovered a firearm and arrested a 19-year-old man at the scene.
“We know many people in our community will be shaken by the events of this morning, and Police are making a number of enquiries to locate the outstanding offenders.
“Due to the nature of the offending, this involves armed Police and the Armed Offenders Squad.”
One business owner decided to lock his doors this morning when he heard at least two people were still on the run.
He said police cordons were in place on Ruahine St when he made his way into work.
Anyone with information is asked to call Police on 105 and reference the event number P053442225.
