Six young people were arrested in two separate incidents involving stolen cars in Dunedin yesterday.
In the first incident, a 15-year-old youth, who escaped from Child, Youth and Family custody on August 10, took a car from Lomond St, Caversham, about 12.30am yesterday.
The youth picked up three friends and travelled to Union St, where the group was arrested after a member of the public called police when the car started doing "donuts" about 3am, Senior Sergeant Melanie Aitken, of Dunedin, said.
Appearing in Dunedin Youth Court yesterday, the youth did not deny charges of escaping custody, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and sustained loss of traction.
His associates were charged with unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.
The youth was remanded in police custody, along with one of his associates (aged 16) to appear today.
The two other youths, aged 15 and 16, were remanded on bail to appear at a later date.
In a second incident, a 16-year-old youth and a 15-year-old girl were arrested about 6.30am after escaping from Child, Youth and Family custody and taking a van from Kirkland St, Green Island, Snr Sgt Aitken said.
The pair drove to Brighton, where they dumped the van and took a Mini and drove to Oceanview.
Police stopped them in Oceanview, but they were released after giving false details.
The pair were apprehended a short time later in Brighton.
They appeared in the Dunedin Youth Court on multiple charges yesterday.
The pair did not deny the charges against them and were remanded in the custody of Child Youth and Family to appear again at a later date.
