Armed men caught after hour-long police chase

Two suspected armed burglars were caught after a dramatic hour-long police chase through the central North Island early today.

It began after two men were seen running away from an house in Kinloch on the shores Lake Taupo around 4.30am.

Acting police sergeant Greg Weston said that while officers were en route to the scene, a vehicle was spotted with its number plate covered up.

It was stopped and police were confronted by two men who threatened them with weapons.

Mr Weston said the vehicle then sped off leading police on an approximately hour-long pursuit through rural country and on to State Highway 1 at Tokoroa.

The pursuit continued towards Putaruru where the men evaded road spikes and continued north.

The vehicle with police from four different police stations including a dog handler chasing them was finally halted at Lichfield and the two occupants arrested.

Mr Weston said stolen property was recovered from the vehicle.

No vehicles were damaged in the chase.

- NZPA