Three youths apprehended, hunt continues for fourth after late-night taxi heist near Porirua

Three youths were taken into custody overnight after a taxi was stolen north of Wellington. Photo / File

Three youths have been taken into custody after a taxi was stolen near Porirua.

Police have reported that the taxi was stole at 10.40pm last night, during the course of a fare from Titahi Bay to Cannons Creek.

The taxi is reported to have stopped and the driver got out, at which time the vehicle was stolen.

Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Todd said police were alerted to the matter about 40 minutes later when they received calls from members of the public.

"The vehicle was sighted and after a brief pursuit and deployment of road spikes the vehicle was stopped," he said.

"We would like to thank members of the local community who called police.

"This resulted in the apprehension of offenders, and the location of the stolen taxi that will be able to be returned to the owner."

One of the youths was due to appear in the Porirua Youth Court today on multiple charges, while the two others have been referred to Police Youth Aid Section.

Further inquiries are ongoing to identifying a fourth offender.

"The taxi driver was not injured, and this was an isolated incident," Todd said.

Support is being provided to the driver.