Sergeant Matt Lee said a police car was patrolling in Patearoa Rd, near Waipiata, at 9pm, when they attempted to stop the vehicle.
‘‘The driver accelerated heavily and drove at approximately 160kmh to evade police.’’
He said police did not pursue the fleeing driver for long.
Instead, they located the vehicle a short time later, parked at the registered owner’s home address.
‘‘Police arrested the 20-year-old male driver and the vehicle was impounded.’’
He said the driver was charged with failing to stop for red-and-blue lights, driving at dangerous speed and driving while disqualified.
He was bailed to appear in the Alexandra District Court at a later date.
In Dunedin, Sgt Lee said a police patrol was in the city centre and spotted a car cutting in front of a truck and trailer unit, ‘‘almost causing an accident,’’ about 5pm.
‘‘Police stopped the vehicle that was being driven by a 71-year-old male that has a disqualified driver’s licence.
‘‘His evidential breath test produced a result of 600mcg.’’
Sgt Lee said the man’s vehicle was impounded, and he was charged with driving while disqualified, driving with excess breath alcohol (third or subsequent), and will appear in the Dunedin District Court at a later date.
Dunedin police also conducted impairment checkpoints on Thursday night in Wharf St, Forbury Rd and Tahuna Rd, where 637 drivers were tested.
Only two drivers recorded results over the legal limit, Sgt Lee said.
In Wharf St, at 7.40pm, a 26-year-old man produced an evidential breath alcohol level of 480mcg, and was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol.
He will appear in the Dunedin District Court at a later date.
About an hour earlier at the same checkpoint, a 43-year-old man produced an evidential breath alcohol result of 382mcg and was issued with an infringement notice.
