Police challenged to fight after pulling over vehicle

AN Oamaru man who challenged police to a fight was arrested on Sunday after the vehicle he was a passenger in was stopped on State Highway 1.

Police are seeking the driver of the vehicle, who is known to them, after he fled the scene on foot.

Sergeant Tony Woodbridge, of Oamaru, said police stopped the vehicle on Thames Highway in Oamaru at 5.50pm.

After the driver, who was believed to be suspended from driving, ran off, the passenger became aggressive and challenged officers to a fight, before he was overpowered and restrained.

He was charged with disorderly behaviour and will appear in the Oamaru District Court on April 11.

A bag found in the vehicle contained a pair of nunchucks, a throwing star and a knife, as well as a pipe for smoking methamphetamine.

At 2.45am on Sunday, police stopped a black Nissan Primera after it was spotted crossing the centre line several times between Oamaru and Kakanui.

After police pulled the vehicle over in Gardiners Rd, its driver fled through farmland. The man was yet to be located.

An 18yearold male who was a passenger in the vehicle was spoken to by police.

A wallet handed in to Oamaru police at 5.45am on Sunday was found to contain a small bag of white powder. Sgt Woodbridge said the powder was being tested. The wallet contained its owner’s details.

AA