Photo: ODT files
Sergeant Blair Wilkinson, of Oamaru, said members of the public alerted police to a suspected drunk driver just after 6pm on Sunday.
Police saw him in a vehicle parked in the middle of Don St shortly after that.
The man failed to stop when signalled and led police on a chase, which ended several minutes later on Harlech St when he stopped and fled on foot across nearby farmland.
He was caught a short time later when he challenged police and was pepper-sprayed.
A test recorded a breath-alcohol level of 501mcg.
The man will appear in the Oamaru District Court on February 1 charged with drink-driving, failing to stop and dangerous driving.
- Daniel Birchfield
