Arrests after three-hour police chase

A three-hour police chase came to an end with the arrests of three people in farm land behind Hamurana.

Sergeant Nicky Riordan of the Rotorua police said a car was stopped near Ngongotaha just after 12pm yesterday for a routine check.

She said the Subaru was a stolen car and the driver drove off from the checkpoint.

Police followed the car on to Tauranga Direct Rd where the car came to a stop before fleeing again.

"Police abandoned pursuit when the vehicle entered on to gravel roading."

She said the car was found nearby on Sharp Rd, a dead end road, where the four people in the car had fled on foot.

Ms Riordan said a police dog tracked the group for about two hours, leading police to three of the four offenders.

"One offender is yet to be located but inquiries are continuing."

She said the three people were found a long way from Sharp Rd in the bush about 3pm, including one teenager who was referred to Rotorua Police Youth Aid.

The other two people were still being interviewed and had yet to be charged.

When The Daily Post arrived on Sharp Rd about 12.30pm several officers including police dog handlers were at the scene to find the people who had been in the car.

Officers and cars were dotted around the area at various intersections in case the offenders were seen.

Police cars drove up and down Central Rd looking for those involved, with cars parked at the intersection of Central Rd and Hamurana Rd and the intersection of Hamurana Rd and Gloucester Rd.

Several residents stopped and asked police what was going on.