Police were called to Nairn St, Kaikorai, at 1.45am after it was reported a commercial van was being broken into, Southern deployment co-ordinator Senior Sergeant Craig Brown, of Dunedin, said.
The alleged offender was caught in the van by a resident, who ''has allegedly been punched for his troubles''.
The man fled, but 10 minutes later a police patrol spotted a Holden Commodore, reported stolen from Nairn St, minutes after the initial assault call, in Taieri Rd, he said. The Holden had also hit a parked car in Nairn St.
''Attempts were made to stop it, but the vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit began.''
The car then turned into Dalziel Rd, with the pursuit going down Mt Grand Rd, Townleys Rd, Kaikorai Valley Rd, before ending on the Southern Motorway. The six-minute pursuit ended when the stolen vehicle collided with a concrete median barrier.
Snr Sgt Brown said the male driver resisted the two officers. Pepper-spray and a Taser were used before he was taken into custody.
The man recorded a breath-alcohol level of 764mcg. The legal limit is 400mcgSnr Sgt Brown praised those who contacted the police immediately.
''This helps us respond in the best possible way.''
The man who was assaulted, the officers and the alleged offender received only minor or no injuries.
- A 21-year-old unemployed man appeared later in Dunedin District Court on several charges - unlawfully taking a vehicle, unlawfully interfering with a vehicle, common assault, assaulting police, resisting police, drink-driving, failing to stop for police, failing to stop after a non-injury accident, and driving a vehicle in a dangerous manner. He was declined bail and remanded in custody without plea until March 18.
