Teen threatens officer with nailgun

A teenager on home detention chased a police officer with a nailgun in the Otago town of Cromwell early this morning, before crashing during a police pursuit.

A Cromwell police officer called to investigate a report of intentional damage about 3.30am was confronted by the 17-year-old, who pointed a nailgun at him and chased him down the street, Sergeant Mike Williams said.

The officer called for backup from Alexandra, about 30km away, and police chased the young man as he drove back towards Alexandra.

He crashed on State Highway 8 at Fruitlands, and was arrested and taken to Dunstan Hospital for treatment.

He had been on home detention, but cut off his electronic leg bracelet, Mr Williams said.

He will face a number of charges once released from hospital.

- NZPA