Statement to be attributed to Inspector Trevor Beggs, Waitemata Police.
At 11am this morning Police were advised that 31 year-old Auckland man had gone to an address in Orewa and had stolen a car and money from a woman known to him.
This person was someone that Police have been looking for over a number of weeks. There were four warrants for his arrest. Police also had alerts on the man for firearms possession.
The car was seen by Police travelling south in the area of Esmonde Road.
The driver failed to stop for Police and a pursuit began.
The fleeing driver travelled into Auckland City. At Parnell, the driver rammed two Police cars. Fortunately no officers were injured.
He then travelled to Newmarket, where Police abandoned the pursuit because of manner in which he was driving and the risk to members of the public.
The Eagle Helicopter took over and observed the car from the air. The vehicle travelled to Mt Eden and onto Mt Albert and then onto the North-western Motorway at Te Atatu.
The fleeing driver headed back towards the city and the pursuit was reinitiated as he travelled back towards the North Shore.
At the highest point of the Auckland harbour bridge, the driver stopped his car.
He ran from his car and immediately jumped over the railing.
The Police Maritime Unit had been patrolling the waters under the Harbour Bridge and had been following the incident on the radio. They went straight to the man and retrieved him from the water very quickly.
They carried out CPR immediately, however the man was pronounced dead upon their arrival at their Mechanics Bay base.
Police have informed the man’s immediate next of kin and they are advising the rest of their family. The man’s name is expected to be released later today.
The man’s family have been offered the services of Victim Support.
An investigation into the initial theft is underway.
As is routine with any incident of this type, the Independent Police Conduct Authority have also been advised.
Police will also review the pursuit, in line with the Police pursuit policy.
ENDS
Beth Bates/NZ Police