Fleeing Driver take police on 30 minute jaunt

At about 7:20pm yesterday evening Tauranga and Whakatane Police were jointly involved in a fleeing driver incident.

Six juvenile offenders, the eldest aged 15 lead the Police on a 30 minute jaunt throughout Kawerau and Edgecombe.

The initial lone officer was eventually supported by Police patrols from Whakatane including a Dog unit.

The juvenile offenders in a stolen Toyota HiLux were spiked by Police on the approach to Edgecombe, the vehicle continued on with the left side tyres deflated.

The speed reduced dramatically so that Police were able to get ahead of the still failing to stop vehicle and spike it again at Awakera.

This final spiking deflated the remaining tyres, but the driver still continued driving on the rims refusing to stop.

The vehicle travelling at no more than 30 km/h was finally boxed in by Police cars, which left no other option for the driver than to stop. All six occupants were arrested.