Police received multiple reports yesterday, between 2pm and 2.30pm, about a stolen vehicle being seen driven in the city by a number of youths, Acting Senior Sergeant Iain Notman, of Dunedin, said.
The vehicle was observed by a tactical dog team in Hillhead Rd, in the suburb of Corstorphine, where it accelerated and drove on the wrong side.
Police did not pursue it, Acting Snr Sgt Notman said.
‘‘A short time later, the vehicle was located crashed into a power pole with all occupants decamping from the vehicle.
‘‘Police dog teams tracked all four youths, and all four were taken into custody.’’
Officers had already arrested five youths after receiving more than a dozen reports of vehicle thefts and attempted thefts over the King's Birthday long weekend.
Acting Snr Sgt Notman said there was an overlap between both groups of youth, but could not confirm exactly how many.
One person appeared in the Youth Court this morning charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
The other three were being followed up with police’s youth services team, he said.
Road spikes used
In a statement, police said they were alerted to another vehicle stolen from Warwick St, Balaclava, at 10.30pm on Monday.
Road spikes were successfully deployed, bringing the vehicle to a stop in Three Mile Hill Rd where the occupants fled on foot.
All five youths were quickly located with assistance from police dogs and taken into custody.
Of the five, three were due to appear in the Youth Court at a later date.
The remaining two were returned to the care of their families and referred to youth services.
The incident reflected similar offending police had recently observed across Dunedin.
‘‘Police are actively working alongside partner agencies to respond to and prevent youth involvement in vehicle crime, including addressing the behaviour of those causing harm in our community.
‘‘Police will continue to deploy a range of resources to respond to this offending and hold offenders to account, while also focusing on prevention and early intervention.’’
