Stolen truck used to ram Morrinsville police station
A stolen 10-tonne truck smashed through the front doors of a rural Waikato police station early yesterday morning.
It then led police on a merry chase around rural Waikato before police stopped it in Te Aroha by shooting a tyre out.
A 54-year-old man has been arrested and charged, says acting Waikato District Commander Inspector Julia Lynch.
He is due to appear in the Hamilton District Court this morning facing charges of unlawful conversion of a motor vehicle, failing to stop for police, resisting police, intentional damage, assault with a weapon, reckless driving and attempted arson of the vehicle.
The truck was reported stolen from Pyramid Trucking-Turley Motors in Stanley Ave, Te Aroha, around midnight, a worker at the site verified yesterday. Just minutes later, police say it was rammed into the Morrinsville Police Station.
After ramming the doors, the driver left the scene, but was spotted shortly after on State Highway 26, heading towards Te Aroha.
The driver not only failed to stop when signalled, he drove straight at two police cars before again speeding off.
Police caught up with the truck again in Te Aroha, where the driver again drove at two police cars.
The police Eagle helicopter by then was on the scene and multiple cordons and road spikes were deployed.
Police finally fired two gunshots at one of the truck’s front tyres, which finally brought the driver’s joyride to a stop.
The 54-year-old man was arrested and remains in police custody.
Inspector Jeff Penno says it was a quickly evolving situation which was resolved without injury – except to the truck tyre.
‘‘Police staff involved demonstrated courage and initiative,’’ he says.
Pyramid Trucking was approached for comment, but declined.
Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident, Lynch says.
The front doors of the Morrinsville Police Station are being repaired, and local police are contactable as usual.
Policing in the area is not impacted by the damage to the station.
Lynch said she would like to commend the staff involved. ‘‘This was outstanding work in a fastchanging situation.’’