Sergeant Tony Woodbridge, of Oamaru, said the 40-minute chase started about 5.30am in Maheno after three petrol ''drive-offs'' in Oamaru and Timaru between 1am and 5am yesterday.
He said the driver ignored police when signalled to pull over.
The driver evaded spikes set up on State Highway 1 near Flag Swamp School.
The vehicle later came to a stop because of mechanical issues about 20km south of Waikouaiti, on the Kilmog Hill.
The pursuit reached speeds of up to 150kmh, Sgt Woodbridge said. Three males and a female, all from Dunedin, were arrested.
The car's driver, Blake McGregor (19), faced five charges and the other three were yet to be processed.
Court documents show the teenager was charged with driving while forbidden, reckless driving, failing to stop and two counts of stealing petrol from Z Oamaru.
McGregor's counsel, Andrew More, opted not to make a bail application in the Dunedin District Court yesterday and the defendant was remanded in custody until tomorrow.
After reading the police summary of facts, Judge Kevin Phillips said the allegations against McGregor represented a ''high degree of seriousness''.
