A man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a boat and leading police on a chase from rural Waikato over the Kaimai Ranges into Tauranga.
Western Bay of Plenty police deployed road spikes that managed to slow the fleeing driver down this morning, however he was eventually stopped after being nudged to the side of the road by a patrol car.
The incident began when a boat was reported stolen in Te Aroha by the owner's neighbour at 5.30am.
The neighbour followed the vehicle until police arrived when they activated their sirens and flashing lights.
Unperturbed, the driver carried on with patrols from Te Aroha, Cambridge and Matamata following the vehicle and the stolen boat over the ranges when they were joined by Western Bay of Plenty police.
Senior Sergeant Carl Purcell said the tyres of the vehicle - which was stolen from a Thames property in January this year - and the boat were both deflated by road spikes, but despite them shredding down to the rims, the man continued to drive on.
He said the driver was finally stopped on Merrilees Rd on State Highway 2 after being pushed to the side by a police vehicle. No one was injured in the incident.
A 48-year-old man will appear in Tauranga District Court today charged with reckless driving, failing to stop, driving while suspended, theft and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.
- NZ Herald
