An Oamaru taxi driver admits it "got a bit scary" when he discovered his fare was using his taxi as a getaway car to elude police. Whitestone Taxis' driver Shige Koyama received a call yesterday to pick up a man, little realising he was wanted by police.
Police allege the 40-year-old passenger had earlier abandoned a stolen Nissan Safari after being chased around the town at speeds up to 100kmh.
Mr Koyama was aware of a chase because of police cars and sirens around south Oamaru.
Then, about 10.50am, a police car pulled in behind his taxi in Wharfe St.
"When police started their lights, I wondered then. He [the passenger] told me not to stop, but I said I have to. It was a bit scary then," Mr Koyama said.
The passenger got out, was questioned, handcuffed and taken away by police.
Mr Koyama said the incident was by far his most exciting day in two years' taxi driving in Oamaru.
Police say the stolen vehicle's driver was from the lower North Island and did not know Oamaru.
Twice, he turned into dead-end streets but drove out before police could stop him.
During the pursuit, one police car was sideswiped.
Sergeant Mat Arnold-Kelly said police believed the man was throwing items out of the vehicle during the chase.
He urged anyone who found credit cards, driver's licences or other documents, particularly belonging to foreign tourists, to contact Oamaru police.
The Nissan Safari was stolen from Te Awamutu on May 21, and the driver had been in the South Island for some time, police said.
The vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign at the corner of Eden and Reed Sts about 10.20am, but when a police officer tried to pull it over, it sped off.
Because of its circuitous route, road spikes could not be fully deployed to stop it.
It went through stop and give way signs and a red traffic light, without stopping.
Police pursued the vehicle around south and central Oamaru streets, some twice, and as far north as Orwell St.
The chase was abandoned about 10.30am, as the vehicle headed towards the busy central business district.
Sgt Arnold-Kelly said police were grateful for numerous phone calls from the public about the vehicle.
This led to it being found in Selwyn St, a short narrow street off the end of Wharfe St which runs around beside the Oamaru landfill on the South Hill.
Police cordoned off the area and called for assistance from the Dunedin police dog squad to find the driver.
Before the squad arrived, one officer saw a man jogging along Tamar St and getting into a taxi.
After the taxi was stopped, a man was arrested.
He will appear in the Dunedin District Court this morning, charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified, dangerous driving and failing to give his details.
Other charges may follow.
