Eagle chopper, traffic cameras used to follow wanted man home

A 43-year-old has been arrested after a police chase involving the Eagle helicopter in Christchurch on Thursday night.

The man failed to stop for police on Greers Rd in Bishopdale about 8.45pm.

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Police initially pursued the vehicle but abandoned the chase due to the manner of driving.

The District Command Centre was able to monitor the vehicle on traffic cameras while the Eagle chopper was deployed.

"Eagle quickly located the vehicle and followed it to an address in Swannanoa," a police spokesperson said.

"The man then attempted to flee in the vehicle but was blocked in by police staff on the ground.

"The man was found to be in possession of a large amount of stolen property, thought to be items stolen from cars in central Canterbury."

Said Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price: "Without the support of Eagle, it is unlikely we would have been able to apprehend this offender so quickly, and we certainly may not have ever retrieved the stolen property that we found in the man's car.

"After only a few days of the trial, Eagle is proving to be a real asset to the Canterbury community."

The man is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on Tuesday on charges, including failing to stop, driving while suspended and drug possession.