At approximately 10:08am this morning Police in Pukekohe attempted to stop a stolen vehicle. It failed to do so and a pursuit was initiated but abandoned minutes later due to the manner of driving.
After Police had stopped following the vehicle, the offending driver has then entered the Southern Motorway at Drury and has begun driving south bound in the north bound fast lane at speeds in excess of 100kmh.
The Police Eagle Helicopter has monitored the vehicle from a distance so that they could not be seen by the offending driver.
It has then exited the motorway at Ramarama before getting back onto the motorway heading north bound, this time on the right side of motorway.
The driver has then realised there was heavy traffic and done a U-turn, crashing into a Police Delta Unit which was trying to locate the vehicle. It then turned back the correct way and shortly after this has crashed into a truck near the Papakura off-ramp.
A member of the public has then assisted our Delta officer in apprehending the driver and two passengers of the vehicle.
The entire incident lasted approximately 28 minutes.
An 18 year old female, 15 year old male and 12 year old female are all in Police custody and are assisting us with our enquiries.
Counties Manukau South Area Commander Dave Glossop says this was an absolutely terrifying incident for all motorists who will have witnessed this vehicle and we are absolutely amazed that no person has been injured.
“It is through sheer luck that I can say that there are no injuries following this incident. We have said this multiple times, but this type of behaviour has to stop as it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed.”
“We are now limited in what we can say as this matter will be going before the courts but we want to express our deep concern by this type of offending. Hundreds of members of the public going about their daily business were put in immense danger and it is simply unacceptable.”
We are asking for anyone whose vehicles may have been hit by this vehicle to please contact Sergeant Nick Ewen on 09 261 1300.
ENDS
Shelley Nahr/NZ Police