After 6am, a car was used to ram-raid GAS Ruakākā on Port Marsden Highway. The offenders then fled.
Police are continuing to investigate whether the incidents are linked and did not comment on whether the chase was related.
Officers early this morning were led through Otaika before tailing the vehicle along SH14. They followed the car through Maunu and Kensington before the vehicle was reportedly dumped on Winston St, a small cul-de-sac in Tikipunga, around an hour later.
Passersby reported seeing the car travelling at “bullet speed” as it tore through Western Hills Dr with police in tow.
Officers were seen scouring the Tikipunga shopping complex while a police dog handler was spotted down nearby residential streets.
They have asked the public to relay any information connected to the incidents via 105 or anonymously on Crime Stoppers - 0800 555 111.