Four youths arrested after high-speed chase

Two of the offenders are handcuffed and interviewed after their car finally came to a halt near Horeke. Phpto / Peter de Graaf

Four young men have been arrested after a police chase across the Mid North that reached speeds of more than 140km/h.

The youths were in one of two cars that sparked a series of driving complaints, starting on State Highway 1 near Kawakawa around noon yesterday.

When police officers spotted one of the vehicles and activated their patrol car's lights and siren, the driver pulled over at first but then took off.

A pursuit ensued in which the offending driver managed to dodge several sets of road spikes, first travelling north on SH10 towards Kerikeri and making a U-turn to avoid the first set.

He headed south again to Pakaraka and on to SH1 towards Ohaeawai, dodging two more sets of spikes, then drove through Okaihau township and onto unsealed Horeke Rd.

It is understood the driver sped through road works at one stage, sending workers scattering.

The Nissan Primera finally stopped about 12.45pm after a Kaikohe officer laid spikes across a one-way bridge near Horeke, though not before it had travelled another 800m on shredded tyres.

Sergeant Peter Masters said four young men were arrested without incident and taken to Kaikohe Police Station.

While the offending vehicle at times reached speeds of more than 140km/h the pursuit was "safe from go to whoa" with the pursuing officers keeping other police well informed and traffic pulling over.

One youth has been charged with failing to stop for police. Another, who allegedly changed places with the initial driver, faces a raft of driving-related charges. He has also been charged for driving without a licence.