Two men have been arrested following a service station burglary and a police pursuit early this morning (Friday 14, August).
The break-in occurred at the Ashhurst Service Station on Napier Road in Ashhurst around 2am this morning when two men broke open the door of the service station and stole the cigarette stand.
A short time later a police patrol car, travelling towards Ashhurst, spotted a white Mazda vehicle travelling towards Palmerston North in the area of the Memorial Park on SH3. The patrol car attempted to pull the vehicle over but the driver refused to stop and took off at speed.
The vehicle was pursued for about 30 minutes through Palmerston North and along SH56 and SH1. Police deployed road spikes in the Foxton area finally bringing the car to a halt.
The Mazda car had been stolen from an address in Palmerston North on Thursday, 13 August.
A 20-year-old man from Foxton has been charged with failing to stop, burglary, driving whilst disqualified, dangerous driving and unlawful taking of a vehicle. He will appear at Palmerston North District Court this afternoon.
A 25-year-old man from Palmerston North has been charged with burglary, unlawfully being in a vehicle and resisting arrest. He will appear at Palmerston North District Court on Thursday, 20 August.
Detectives are investigating whether this incident is linked to service station ram raids and burglaries in recent months in Rongotea, Foxton and Sanson using vehicles stolen from the Foxton and Tangimoana areas.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.