In a statement Sergeant Derek Ealson said officers were responding to a family harm event about 6pm yesterday when a Toyota Landcruiser rammed two police cars, causing minor damage.
"Thankfully the officers were not injured," Sgt Ealson.
After colliding with the police vehicles, the driver travelled towards Tarras on the Tarras-Cromwell Rd, then to Wanaka before travelling through to Lowburn and Pisa Moorings, where he was later located and taken into custody.
In an update this afternoon Sergeant Mike Calvert said the offender tried to escape on foot and a Dunedin police dog handler was called.
The man was apprehended by a police dog while in the process of committing another burglary, he said.
A 35-year-old man was facing serious charges in relation to the incident.
He was due to appear in the Queenstown District Court today on driving, assault and burglary charges.
"While this was an unpredictable and concerning incident, we want to reassure the Central Otago community that there is no further threat," Sgt Ealson said.
Police wanted to hear from anyone who captured video of the incident, the vehicle as it drove towards Tarras, Wanaka, Lowburn or Pisa Moorings, or of the man’s arrest, as this may assist our investigation.
●Video or images can be uploaded via this link: https://cruiser.nc3.govt.nz/
●Information can also be provided online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105, using ‘Update My Report’. Please quote the file number 221018/3292.
●Alternatively, information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
oscar.francis@odt.co.nz
