17 Nov 2010

Suspect arrested after chase abandoned

4:24 am on 17 November 2010

Police in Tauranga have arrested a man suspected of burglary, despite having to abandon their pursuit of a stolen car on Tuesday morning on safety grounds.

Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders says the 17-year-old was disturbed while stealing from an address in Papamoa about 11am. Officers gave chase on foot but the suspect was able to reach a parked Toyota and drive off.

He ignored directions to stop and led a patrol car through numerous streets, even continuing to flee after road spikes deflated his tyres.

The stolen car was dumped near Baypark Stadium and the driver attempted to escape by stealing a push bike from a nearby house, but was caught.