Four arrested after fleeing burglary, hitting police cars

AUCKLAND: Three teenagers and a 20yearold have been arrested after fleeing the scene of a burglary, ramming police cars and driving on the wrong side of the road on an Auckland motorway.

As police approached the scene of a burglary — an electronics store in Silverdale — they saw two cars leaving the area and deployed the

Eagle helicopter.

Waitemata district commander Superintendent Naila Hassan said the air support unit saw people in one of the cars transferring stolen goods to a third car.

‘‘Ground staff were directed to this location and attempted to block this third vehicle, but it rammed two of our vehicles before fleeing.

‘‘No pursuit has been initiated. Instead, [the] Eagle [helicopter] continued to provide observations of this vehicle as it entered the motorway network on the wrong side of the road.

As this was taking place, a police car heading to the area crashed, Supt Hassan said.

Police officers were taken to hospital but did not have serious injuries.

The fleeing car continued through Ponsonby and entered the Northwestern motorway where police helicopter officers said the car was driven in a dangerous manner.

Police deployed spikes near Westgate but the car was driven on to the motorway again.

Soon after, the car was blocked by police and the four occupants taken into custody.

A 20yearold had been driving and the others in the car were aged between 15 and 17.

Police expect to lay several charges. — RNZ