Three teenagers - two from Dunedin - have appeared in court after allegedly stealing cars, petrol and cash in a South Island joyride.
Sergeant Rene Aarsen, of Dunedin, said two Dunedin brothers, aged 16 and 17, stole a car in Dunedin on Tuesday and drove to Lumsden before ditching it and stealing another.
The pair picked up a 14-year-old Dunedin girl and a 17-year-old Oamaru man before stealing petrol and money from honesty boxes between Dunedin, Kaiapoi, Blenheim, Nelson and Reefton, he said.
A 60km police pursuit through the Grey and Arnold valleys was abandoned by police on Thursday before the car hit road spikes and crashed into the back of another vehicle on State Highway 73, near Jacksons.
The occupants "decamped'' but were arrested by Greymouth police soon after, Sgt Aarsen said.
In a statement, Sergeant Brent Cook, of Greymouth, said the three males were facing charges in relation to stealing the cars, petrol drive-offs and stealing from honesty boxes.
The driver was charged with failing to stop for police and other driving offences, he said.
The trio appeared in the Youth Court at Greymouth before justice of the peace Maureen Truman yesterday.
Mrs Truman banned media from covering the appearance.
The girl was referred to Youth Aid.
- Additional reporting Greymouth Star.
