Police were alerted to a stolen Nissan Maxima after a member of the public reported seeing the car being driven erratically and the occupants throwing bottles out of the window, just south of Waikouaiti, at 10am.
Detective Sergeant Dan Keno, from Oamaru, said the car had been reported stolen in Christchurch on May 26, and a ''short'' pursuit began at Katiki north of Palmerston, but was abandoned at Hampden.
''We deployed a tyre deflation device at the Waianakarua Bridge, but they spotted them and turned off on to Mt Misery Rd.''
They drove as far as they could go, to an area known as the Red Hut, and then fled on foot, he said.
An ''exhaustive'' ground search followed, involving about six police units, a police dog and handler and a helicopter manned by aerial observers, he said.
The offender was apprehended about 1km from his alleged accomplices two hours later, Det Sgt Keno said.
He added that all four would be questioned at Oamaru Police Station in relation to possible offences in Christchurch and Dunedin.
A farm worker said he saw the car driving at speed through a farm on Mt Misery Rd.
''I was about to go and give them a stir-up, because I thought they might be poaching, but then I got a call from my neighbours to say there were lots of police cars on the way, and I thought I had better stay clear.''
The man, who did not want to be named, said two trucks had been unloading baleage on the road just an hour before the car came ''screaming'' through the same spot.
Farm owner Grant Ludemann said there had been ''quite a bit'' of damage to the farm as a result of the alleged offenders' actions.
''I believe they drove through some gates. It's the most excitement we have had for a while.''
Sergeant Craig Sew Hoy said the four people, three males and one female, all from Christchurch, had been charged with theft of the vehicle and other charges could follow.
