Crash ends police chase

A JOYRIDE in an allegedly stolen car came to an abrupt end in a Gonville street yesterday. A police chase ensured around Wanganui streets yesterday morning after the stolen white Mitsubishi Galant went out of control in Gonville Ave. The four occupants were all caught. Wanganui police Sergeant Bob Evans said the car was reported acting suspiciously in Longacre Rd. Inquiries revealed that the car had been stolen from Feilding on Wednesday. Police first spotted the vehicle on Anzac Pde, Wanganui East. A chase began out to Putiki Dr and across the motorway bridge. One eyewitness counted nine police cars in pursuit. The chase continued along Koromiko Rd, Kings Ave and Heads Rd before the car's driver lost control after turning into Gonville Ave. Following police cars were quickly able to block the vehicle in, with one police car suffering minor frontal damage. As well as suffering damage after the loss of control, Mr Evans said, the Mitsubishi had been subject to "crude repairs" by the occupants, using white spray-paint and tape. Mr Evans said that at one point two of the occupants got out of the car, while the other two remained. After losing control, both occupants ran from the vehicle, but they were caught soon after. The 17-year-old driver was caught in the Wanganui Hospital grounds and appeared in Wanganui District Court on driving-related charges. He was remanded in custody to reappear on October 24. Mr Evans said the other three occupants had been spoken to and would also face various charges.