"A traffic unit attempted to stop the speeding vehicle in Palmerston this afternoon but it fled in a southern direction down State Highway 1," a police statement said.
After the speeding vehicle was spotted about 3.10pm, police commented that they had followed it for a short time "but the motorist's driving was deemed too dangerous for the matter to continue", police said.
Dunedin police were preparing to lay road spikes to stop the south-bound vehicle, but it turned off State Highway 1 at Waikouaiti and apparently parked in a quiet spot, on Matanaka Dr, between a grove of pine trees and the beach.
Things started to go further wrong for the fleeing driver when the vehicle he was driving was found by police about 4.40pm.
Police monitored the area to see if anyone returned to the vehicle.
A police officer then apparently spotted the man, wearing a blue T-shirt, and with his cap on backwards, walking across a field back towards Matanaka Dr, holding a soft drink which he may have bought at the township.
A few minutes later, he had been caught and arrested, with the help of a police dog and dog handler.
A police spokeswoman last night said a good deal of effort had been required to collect information about the incidents, because the car chases had passed through three police districts.
Several police pursuits were called off after high speeds were reached.
Police wanted to thank the public for their help in helping police to resolve the matter, she said.
- additional reporting Margot Taylor
