A teenager has admitted stealing a police car in Murupara.

Maaki Te Huirau Emery, 18, appeared in Rotorua District Court today via audio visual link and pleaded guilty to four charges, including stealing the police car on October 17.

He also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, escaping police custody and aggravated robbery of a person of cigarettes and $300 on the same date.

Judge Greg Hollister-Jones said given the serious nature of the offences he needed a pre-sentence report.

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He remanded Emery in custody to reappear on January 23 for sentencing.

Emery took the police car - with a police-issue firearm inside - from Murupara.

The car was found on Gibbs Rd, about 15km away, about four hours later.

Emery was reportedly handcuffed when the car was taken.

He was arrested three weeks later in Murupara.