A 16-year-old has been referred to Youth Aid after stealing three cars and evading police at speeds of up to 160kmh during an overnight spree between Timaru and Dunedin, police say.
Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said the Oamaru youth stole a Nissan Cefiro from Timaru overnight on Sunday.
He drove it to Weston where he dumped it and stole a Toyota Prado, Snr Sgt Bond said.
After driving it to Dunedin, the youth stole a Mazda Roadster from Highgate.
On his way back to Timaru, the youth was signalled to stop by police but he fled, at times travelling at more than 160kmh, Snr Sgt Bond said.
The Mazda was abandoned in Talbot Rd, Timaru, and the youth was arrested in a nearby paddock, Snr Sgt Bond said.
Sergeant Blair Wilkinson, of Oamaru, said police received a string of complaints from the public about the manner of the youth’s driving.
The 16-year-old has been referred to youth aid on several charges related to unlawfully taking a vehicle and the manner of his driving. — additional reporting Nic Duff
