A driver, who later confessed to have been using methamphetamine, was the subject of several calls of complaint from members of the public to Police as he sought to avoid arrest.
Waikato Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said a Highway Patrol officer recorded a vehicle travel past him at a speed of 117km/h as he was parked stationary on SH1 near Hampton Downs about 8am yesterday.
"The officer has attempted to get the car to pull over but had trouble catching up as the driver by this stage had increased his speed to 180km/h as he headed south.
"The Northern Communications Centre was receiving a number of calls from drivers who had been forced to take evasive action by the actions of the driver of the silver Peugeot."
Mr Tooman said the officer abandoned the pursuit of the Peugeot after the driver cut in front of a couple's car near the Rangiriri Tavern, causing minor damage to their car.
"The officer stopped to check the couple were alright, they were a bit shaken but unhurt and other units were contacted by radio to keep an eye out for the offender.
"Given the nature of his driving it was assessed his arrest could be managed without having the added stress of a pursuing vehicle in his rear vision mirror possible affecting his decision making and putting other drivers at risk, fortunately we are able to coordinate additional staff by using our radios.
The Peugeot sped through Huntly with further complaints being phoned in via the 111 system before the driver turned off SH1 at Taupiri and on to SH1B.
"The offender has driven around Taupiri and then back on to SH1 continuing on past the old Hopu Hopu Army Camp. Some local farmer flagged down Police that he had tuned off on to Jew Rd opposite the camp's rugby fields and his car was located by officer abandoned.
"The 24-year-old man had fled to a tree line but a responding Police dog handler was able to track the man who was arrested. He was found in possession of a quantity of cannabis and also with utensils for using methamphetamine which he told our staff he had been using earlier in the day."
Mr Tooman said the confession by the driver of his drug use highlighted the risks associated with getting behind the wheel while under the influence of illicit drugs.
"Here we have a man who was speeding on a public road prior to coming into contact with Police. He has fled and refused to stop and if the reports from the public are anything to go on taken extreme risks with both his own and other people's lives to avoid arrest.
"We are always grateful for information from members of the public about driver behaviour and while it may appear nothing is happening in cases like this a lot of work is going on to balance the risks and effect an arrest without endangering anyone as was the case yesterday."
The driver was arrested and faces failing to stop for police, failing to stop and ascertain injury, possession of cannabis and possession of utensils for the use of methamphetamine charges.
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