Counties Manukau Police investigate fleeing driver

Counties Manukau Police are actively investigating a fleeing driver incident that happened today between 10.30am and 10.56am.

Police in Te Kauwhata identified a suspicious vehicle pulling out of a driveway. Following Police checks the vehicle was recognised as stolen. Police in Te Kauwhata alerted all other Police units of the stolen vehicle, providing them with a description and the registration.

A short time later Pokeno Highway Patrol unit identified the stolen vehicle and pulled it over. The Police Officer got out of his patrol car and as he approached the vehicle the driver fled. The Officer then followed the fleeing driver on the motorway for around 10 minutes.

Acting Area Commander Richard Wilkie said, "It was safe to follow the driver along the motorway at this stage, traffic was light."

The driver exited the motorway at the Takanini off ramp and continued to drive around Manurewa with Police closely behind. The driver approached the Mobil Petrol Station on the corner of Mahia Road and Great South Road. As he pulled out of the Mobil Station he rammed a Police vehicle that was stationary. The Police vehicle was providing a road block to prevent the vehicle from being able to flee.

"The offender's stolen vehicle rebounded off the Police car and onto a member of the community's vehicle. The innocent community member received minor injuries to the shoulder. She was examined by Ambulance staff at the scene and released. She is receiving assistance from Victim Support," said Mr Wilkie.

The driver of the stolen vehicle was a male aged 36 years from Mangere. The passenger in the vehicle was a female aged 32 years old from the same Mangere address. The male had 18 outstanding Warrants to Arrest. Currently both offenders are at Counties Manukau Police Station and will appear in the Manukau District Court tomorrow morning.

The male has been charged with a number of driving offences and un-related matters. The female has been charged with associated charges to the vehicle.

"Police are here to prevent crime and ensure the community feel safe and are safe. Our advice to offenders is STOP. We want to reassure the public that we'll do everything we can to prevent this type of offending," said Inspector Wilkie.

Anyone with information about crime in Counties Manukau is advised to call Police on 09 2611300 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.