Auckland crime: Police stop wrong-way Auckland motorway driver after ‘several near misses’

Police were forced to take drastic action to stop a vehicle going down the wrong way on an Auckland motorway after “several near misses” with oncoming motorists.

The incident happened after police spotted a stolen car on old Albany Highway on Auckland’s North Shore shortly after 3am.

Police said a patrol car signalled for those inside to stop. Instead, the vehicle fled “at speed”. Officers did not pursue the car, however.

“A short time later, the vehicle was tracked through to Ōnewa Rd where it pulled into a service station and two offenders were observed trying to break in before fleeing in the same vehicle,” a spokeswoman said.

The vehicle was spiked before it went on the motorway.

It then travelled the wrong way from just before Victoria Park Tunnel on Auckland’s Southern Motorway, heading south on the northbound lanes, she said.

“Following several near misses with members of the public, the driver took the Gilles Ave exit and was brought to a stop by ground staff on Owens Rd.”

A police car was damaged after helping to stop a vehicle in Epsom. Photo / Hayden Woodward

The police car suffered some damage to the passenger’s side.

Several police officers could be seen at the scene in Epsom.

A witness described seeing two young people being talked to by police - both in handcuffs. One was sporting gloves.

Two people described by police as “youth offenders” have been taken into custody.