Cop chase ends with stolen car stuck

Police pursued a stolen car on a high speed chase through Whangarei streets.

A fleeing driver in a stolen car allegedly reached speeds of 100km/h in suburban Whangarei streets where the maximum speed is 50km/h.

The police pursuit started in Tikipunga and ended when the driver tried to ram through a gap next to a security gate and became jammed on a dead-end street about 10.20am last Monday.

The drama began when a car was seen acting suspiciously in the Kamo area and reportedly drove down driveways at rural properties.

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A resident on Church Rd called police who discovered the vehicle in Tikipunga. Police say they took the keys but the man produced a screw driver, started the car and drove off.

An officer, who had reached into the car, was dragged several metres before being thrown free from the window. The car was discovered abandoned at a nearby house.

Police allege the man stole a car parked in the garage of a house and sped through Whangarei streets before reaching a dead end street, where the car was written off.

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Police said good work by the public who called police with a vehicle registration number allowed officers to find the vehicle.

A 38-year-old man will appear in the Whangarei District Court tomorrow charged with burglary, attempted burglary failing to remain stopped for police, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, failing to stop for police, reckless driving, careless driving and resisting police.