Ashburton Police are still seeking a man who is alleged to have failed to stop for police about 9am on Tuesday near Mt Somers.
Senior Sergeant Grant Russell says that a vehicle was stolen from the south side of the Rangitata Bridge yesterday (Wednesday) morning and police believe it is the same offender.
The vehicle is a Ford Ranger, blue, double cab ute with no canopy, registration EBB 624.
"We are following positive lines of inquiry," says Grant Russell.
The man's description is of average build, average height with long greasy hair, wearing a green cotton army jacket, (not camouflage). He was in his late twenties, early thirties.
The search began about 9am on Tuesday in Mt Somers, after a white, Ford Courier, flat-deck ute failed to stop for police. The vehicle was later found abandoned.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Ashburton Police or their nearest police.