Motorcyclist’s hour-long dash from police sees bike on wrong side of road, ‘dangerous’ overtaking

Police began following the man early this morning.

A motorbike rider is facing court action after an hour-long dash across South Auckland, at times riding on the wrong side of the road and executing dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.

Police first tried to stop the man on Cosgrove Rd in Papakura just after 1am after seeing the number plate on his Kawasaki motorcycle was unreadable, Inspector Matt Hoyes said.

But the rider took off at “excessive speed”, with police deciding not to pursue the man and instead send the police helicopter to the area, said Hoyes, of Counties Manukau South police.

“It monitored the motorbike for around an hour. During this time the rider has allegedly crossed the centre line, driven without headlights on and conducted dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.

“It’s very fortunate the rider’s actions didn’t result in himself or a member of the public being seriously injured.”

Those in the police helicopter then saw the motorbike arrive at a Berwyn Ave address in Takanini, with the rider trying to hide from police.

When officers on the ground attempted to take the man into custody, the 30-year-old tried to flee, assaulting a police officer in the process, Hoyes said.

A Taser was used and the man taken into custody “without further incident”.

A bag the man had been carrying was also found, with drug utensils discovered inside, Hoyes said.

The man will appear in the Papakura District Court today, charged with failing to stop, assaulting police, possessing methamphetamine utensils and dangerous driving.