Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said officers arrested eight youths who ran from two allegedly stolen cars after getting trapped down a dead-end street in Caversham early on Sunday.
Police picked up their trail after a stolen Mazda Demio crashed into two parked cars in Riselaw Rd, Calton Hill.
The owner of one of the cars crashed into — who cannot be named because she is a victim in a Youth Court proceeding — said the situation was "totally unfair" for them and for the many others who had similar experiences.
"The red Nissan Note hit belonged to my partner and was our family car — We found out on Tuesday it was a total write-off."
The vehicle was bought about a year ago by the family for $10,000.
The family had third party insurance on the vehicle, and said they would not be getting any financial support from their insurance company.
"That car was our biggest asset. It’s been a bit of financial strain, as well as dealing with the shock.
"My partner is also a delivery driver, so he has to reconsider his job."
The second car hit belonged to the owner’s grandmother, who was loaning the woman the car.
The woman said the state of the car was still to be determined by her grandmother’s insurance company but from what she could see, the repair would be costly.
After police came upon the crashed Demio in Riselaw Rd on Sunday, other officers out on patrol were passed by two stolen Toyota Aquas driven by youths travelling in the opposite direction to them.
When the cars turned into Shortland St — a dead end street off Barnes Dr, police followed and watched eight youths flee the vehicles on foot.
All eight youths, seven of whom were aged between 14 and 17, and one younger than 14, were rounded up by "several" officers, Snr Sgt Bond said.
Bail was opposed for the five who were held to appear in the Youth Court, each facing two charges of being in a stolen motor vehicle, with more charges being likely.
Youth Court’s Judge Michael Turner remanded all in custody and issued a statement warning that other youth offenders who stole cars while out on bail would face the same fate.
"The Youth Court take seriously people being victimised in this way and the risk these youths pose to other road users."
The owner of one of the stolen Toyota Aquas gave Judge Turner her backing and said he should "throw the book at them".
"I think [the judge’s stern message was] really good considering some of them were already on bail for stealing cars."
The woman, who cannot be named, said the incident was a huge inconvenience and her family had voiced their indignation with the fact the thieves chose a car with a disability sticker on the dashboard.
The woman discovered it was missing only when police called her to inform her of the theft.
