Police abandon chase after driver hits 200kmh

MASTERTON police were forced to abandon a high speed chase on State Highway 2 on Saturday when the car being pursued was clocked at up to 200km/h.
Two of the three people in the car being chased were eventually caught with the help of a tracker dog when they fled the car in Carterton.
The chase began when the car was originally pulled over by police in a routine vehicle stop at 3.15am on South Belt in Masterton.
An officer got out of the patrol car to speak to the driver of the vehicle, who then took off with screeching tyres and headed toward the main highway.
Police chased the speeding car into Manchester Street and on to State Highway 2 south of Masterton and attempted to stay with the fleeing vehicle.
After the car had reached what the police considered dangerous speeds on the Waingawa straights, the officers in the patrol car decided in conference with the police communications centre to abandon the chase because of the potential for an accident on the wet road.
With the help of a bystander on the side of the road just before the entrance to Carterton on the Andersons Line turn off, who pointed out the direction of the runaway car, police searched the area and found the car a short distance along Andersons Line down a driveway.
The occupants had bolted.
One was found with the help of a police dog, and Constable Mike Wakefield chased another on foot.
He finally ran the man down after chasing him for about 1.5km.
Mr Wakefield was the policeman who received a Commissioners commendation for his role in a heroic bridge rescue five years ago.
A Masterton man, 24, alleged to be the driver, has been charged with failing to stop, failing to remain stopped, reckless driving and driving while forbidden.
He was also wanted on a warrant on another charge of failing to appear in court.
"At the end of the day we are pleased with the result as no one was hurt," acting sergeant Stu Martindale said.
Mr Martindale said the chase was an example of police being able to ascertain whether a situation had become dangerous and decide to back off, while still being able to apprehend those suspected of being responsible.