Stolen car crashes through two front yards

A car took out two trees when it crashed through two Puriri St front yards. Photo/Bevan Conley

A Castlecliff family was left shaken on Monday morning after a stolen car crashed through their front yard and into their neighbour's yard, taking out two trees in the process.

The car stopped "about half a metre off" the corner of the second house when it crashed about 12.40am on Puriri St, Whanganui Fire senior station officer Bryce Coneybeer said.

Mr Coneybeer said the vehicle took two conifer trees up by the roots.

When emergency services arrived on scene, the car's occupants had fled the scene.

"Whoever was in there, they ran away.

"They must have been going at a rate of knots."

Police are investigating the incident, saying the car involved was stolen.

"The crash followed the stolen car passing a patrol car. The police vehicle activated its flashing lights, but there was no pursuit," a police spokesman said.

"Police believe it is the same group of offenders involved in a series of incidents, and are following strong lines of inquiry to identify those responsible."

Suesa Paa and her husband were fast asleep when they heard the car crash through their yard.

"I said to my husband, 'oh my gosh, a car crash,'" Mrs Paa said.

"I opened a little bit the curtains and I saw the police in front of the gate with the siren."

Mr and Mrs Paa rushed to put on their "normal clothes" and head outside to see what had happened.

Their neighbour came outside, exclaiming "holy moly sh***", Mrs Paa said.

She said her family was "big scared" when it happened, and her son begged her not to go to work in the morning as he was so nervous.

Mrs Paa said she was still feeling shaken later in the day.

Police are reminding people to ensure their vehicles are as secure as possible by keeping any valuables out of site, keeping vehicles in locked garages when possible, and making use of anti-theft devices such as steering wheel locks and car alarms.