"While the officer was conducting a breath test on the female driver, one male and one female passenger got out of the car and have driven off in the patrol vehicle," police said on the Waikato district facebook page.
"A pursuit was initiated but was abandoned after units lost sight of the vehicle.
"The vehicle was subsequently located in Meremere after the occupants decamped. It appears the vehicle has been set alight, causing extensive damage."
The stolen police car set alight in Meremere, Waikato. Photo / Supplied
When asked if the officer had left the keys in the ignition when the car was stolen, a police spokeswoman told the Herald: "As is commonplace following an incident like this, police will be investigating to establish the full details of what happened. It would be inappropriate to comment while the investigation is ongoing."
