Trio allegedly steal car, crash into East Tamaki, Auckland, business and climb into ceiling to evade police

Stonedon Dr, East Tamaki, Auckland

Three people have been arrested after they allegedly stole a ute from a car dealer in East Tamaki overnight, rammed it into a business and then climbed into the ceiling to evade police.

Police were notified of a break-in at a vehicle dealership on Stonedon Drive about midnight, police said.

A white ute was stolen from the dealership and driven to Maurice Paykel Place where it crashed into a commercial premises.

The occupants of the vehicle then entered the building on foot.

NZ Police said they quickly arrested one person following the break-in while two others climbed into the ceiling.

"One of the two then fell to the ground," the police statement said.

"Police provided first aid at the scene and the alleged offender was taken to Middlemore Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries."

A third person was taken into custody without incident.

A 25-year-old man has been charged with burglary and a 29-year-old man has been charged with burglary and wilful damage.

Both are due to appear in Manukau District Court today.

The man in hospital has not yet been charged.