Teens lead police on chase through Kawakawa in stolen car

Police pursued a stolen car with two occupants from Kawakawa to Kerikeri Rd on Friday afternoon. Photo / File

A Whangarei 16-year-old faces a raft of charges after allegedly fleeing police in a stolen car.

Police were alerted to a car being driven erratically about 1pm on Friday as it was heading north through Kawakawa. A check of its registration showed it had been stolen in Whangarei.

The car and its two teenage occupants were then spotted again at BP Moerewa, where the driver left without paying before police arrived.

Police caught up at Pakaraka where the driver refused to stop, instead turning on to State Highway 10.

Sergeant Ross Laurie, of Kerikeri, said police pursued the pair as far as Kerikeri Rd, abandoning the chase as the stolen car neared the township.

The car was later located at Aranga Holiday Park in Kerikeri where the two occupants were arrested.

A 15-year-old was returned to his family in Whangarei after being interviewed in relation to the stolen car and petrol theft.

The 16-year-old, who was said to be driving, was charged with burglary, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, failing to stop and reckless driving.

He was remanded in police custody after appearing in court in Whangarei on Saturday. He was due to reappear in the Whangarei Youth Court yesterday for a bail application.

The car was returned to its owner, still drivable but significantly damaged.