A driver rammed a police patrol car before speeding off and ploughing across two properties and landing on a parked car in Hamilton overnight.
Hamilton City area commander Inspector Greg Nicholls said the drama began when the patrol car pulled over a Ford Falcon for a routine stop on Wairere Drive shortly after 2am.
The driver of the Ford stopped, but as an officer got out of the patrol car to speak to him, extinguished his lights and reversed on to the bonnet of the police car before driving off at high speed.
The damaged patrol car gave chase before the Ford failed to negotiate the intersection of Bankwood Rd and Clarkin Rd, left the road and ploughed across one property before smashing into a neighbouring carport.
"Because the properties lie below the road the car landed on top of a car parked in the carport before smashing into a house," said Mr Nicholls.
The driver ran off before being spotted and arrested by an officer manning a cordon.
Mr Nicholls said he was pleased by the arrest but that would be little comfort to the two families whose lives were disrupted by the driver's selfish actions.
"Here we have one family who woke to find their fence demolished while their neighbour's now have to deal with a damaged carport, written-off car and damage to their home because of poor decisions made by a selfish man they didn't even know."
A man will appear in Hamilton District Court today charged with assault with a weapon, reckless and dangerous driving, disqualified driving and failing to stop.
