Witness describes chaos as Levin police chase ends with damaged cars and three arrests

A witness has recalled the chaos of a Christmas Eve police chase through the streets of Levin that led to three people being arrested and left her vehicle and another damaged.

The woman, who was visiting the dentist for an appointment at the time, told the Herald she became aware something was happening after hearing sirens approaching.

She then saw police pursuing a vehicle through the town’s back streets.

“I was parked on Winchester St and heard the crash, then my teen daughter yelled out, ‘Mum, your car’s been hit’.”

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said her vehicle sustained damage but remained driveable.

“Thankfully, the damage is fixable. If I didn’t have an SUV, it may have been worse,” she said.

A dashcam captured footage of the police chase through the back streets of Levin. Photo / Supplied

“The other car that got hit did appear to be a write-off.”

The incident added a stressful last-minute job for the unsuspecting bystander on the day before Christmas.

“I still had to go out and replace the car seat before the shops closed,” she said.

“Sucky thing to happen any day, especially on Christmas Eve, but I’m glad no one was hurt.”

Dashcam footage shows a vehicle, with its boot open and items dangling out, swerving past an object on the road.

Two police cars can be seen following closely behind with their sirens blaring.

Police said the incident began about 2.10pm yesterday when officers spotted a person of interest in a vehicle on Princes St and signalled for it to stop.

A brief pursuit was initiated after the driver failed to comply but police abandoned the chase because of the person’s erratic driving.

The person of interest then abandoned that vehicle and entered a second one nearby.

Police launched a second pursuit but soon abandoned the chase because of the dangerous driving.

About 2.20pm, the second vehicle crashed into a car on Queen St before being driven away.

The occupant of the struck vehicle was not injured, police said.

The vehicle that had been pursued came to a stop on Prouse St just before 2.30pm and police intervened.

One person was tasered and taken into custody, while two others were apprehended.

Police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident or has footage to contact them via 105, either online or by phone, quoting the reference number PO64901318.

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