Source: Radio New Zealand
A damaged car was seen after police cars swarmed central Auckland. Kim Baker Wilson/RNZ
Police have chased a stolen car across Auckland as it hit other vehicles following a home invasion in the east of the city.
The burglary in Howick was reported just after 3pm on Tuesday, with offenders reportedly armed with a machete. The offenders left the scene in a Ford Ranger taken from the property on Bleakhouse Rd, police said.
Police had seen the vehicle heading towards the East Tāmaki area.
“Eagle monitored the vehicle as it drove dangerously through Ōtara, Manukau and onto the Southern Motorway into the central city.” Superintendent Shanan Gray said
Police officers seen in downtown Auckland after an incident resulted in a pursuit. Kim Baker Wilson/RNZ
On multiple occasions it was seen driving on the wrong side of the road at high speeds.”
Gray said the Ford Ranger was the cause of several collisions with cars that belong to members of the public.
“Police vehicles were rammed on more than one occasion.”
Another damaged car at the scene of the incident. SUPPLIED
One lane of Karangahape Rd was blocked by police.
An RNZ reporter at the seen said two damaged vehicles can be seen, a small Honda with extensive damage to the front and its bumper ripped off and lying on the road, and a Ford Ranger nearby.
A damaged car was seen after police cars swarmed central Auckland. Kim Baker Wilson/RNZ
Because of the risk, Gray said the Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) was deployed and followed the car on Queen St.
Several police cars were seen swarming downtown Auckland SUPPLIED
“AOS has carried out a non-compliant vehicle stop on Karangahape Road, immediately taking all four occupants into custody,” he said
“Police deployed a range of tactics including a distraction device, a non-lethal sponge round and a police dog to effect the arrests.”
It was lucky no-one was seriously hurt, he added.
Police also want to hear from anyone who had their vehicle damaged by the incident.
They will be laying charges on Tuesday afternoon.
Police officers seen in downtown Auckland after an incident resulted in a pursuit. Kim Baker Wilson/RNZ
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
