Driver reverses car on top of police car's bonnet

Two officers were lucky to escape unharmed after a driver reversed his car onto the top of the patrol car's bonnet before speeding off last night.

Western Waikato area commander, Inspector Paul Carpenter, said the two constables patrolling Kihikihi, near Te Awamutu, when they stopped a vehicle on Herbert St.

"They had spent about 10 minutes attempting to obtain the correct details from the male driver and a female front seat passenger when the officer speaking to the driver went back to the patrol car to check something on the radio," he said.

"As he did this the offender suddenly reversed his car back into the patrol car, the officer speaking to the passenger managed to jump clear however the officer who had been speaking to the driver was struck by the open driver's door but was thankfully unhurt."

Mr Carpenter said the officer's car suffered only minor damage and the officers drove off after the fleeing driver.

"The offender stopped again, this time by the intersection of Flat and Golf Roads on the way to Te Awamutu.

"Given what had happened shortly beforehand the officers stopped some distance from the offenders' car however before they could get out the driver reversed his car at speed towards the patrol car hitting it with such force the car ended up on the police car's bonnet before the offender sped off."

He said the damage to the police car was too bad to continue the search and had to return to the Te Awamutu Police Station.

However Mr Carpenter said the officers were able to identify the offenders.

"We are currently actively seeking 41-year-old Mongrel Mob member Dwight Percival Fatu who is described as being a 175cm tall Pacific Islander of fat, medium build and his associate, Delia Clementina Chetcuti, a 31-year-old Caucasian female."

Mr Carpenter said both had existing warrants for their arrest.

He said Fatu has an extensive criminal history and should not be approached.

"We are also seeking sightings of the pair's white 2004 Mazda sedan, registration number GFK842, we believe this vehicle suffered significant damage in the ramming and its rear bumper was ripped off in the collision and recovered by Police lying on the road."

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of either Fatu, Chetcuti or their vehicle is asked to contact Sergeant Matt Cranshaw of the Te Awamutu Police on 07 872 0100, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

- HERALD ONLINE