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A West Auckland police officer had a tetanus shot after he was bitten by an offender who fled from a check on a stolen car.
The officer, who also suffered a swollen eye and cut arm and ear in the attack, chased the offender on foot through several properties, eventually smashing a car window to stop the man getting away.
Police later found the man had dropped a knife as he fled from the car at about 1pm on Sunday.
Acting Henderson CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Litherland said the attack began when police conducted a vehicle check on a stolen car on Triangle Rd in Massey.
A short car chase followed and when the pursued car finally stopped on Hewlett Rd its three occupants fled. Two women were arrested at the scene. "The driver took off," Mr Litherland said.
"He was pursued by a police constable. Fortunately for the police constable, it's alleged that he dropped a knife. The police constable apprehended him in a bush. The police constable was bitten on his arm. He failed to subdue him at that stage and the offender ran off."
Mr Litherland said the man ran through an unlocked door into a home on Reynella Drive where he took some car keys from a table.
"[The offender] then ran out another door, jumped in the occupier's car and tried to drive off. The police officer smashed the passenger window of the vehicle and managed to grapple with the offender.
"The occupier has then come to the assistance of the constable and managed to remove the keys from the ignition and then the constable has been able to hold on to the offender long enough for his back-up to arrive."
Mr Litherland said the police officer was "okay" after the attack. He required medical treatment which included a tetanus shot to prevent infection arising from the man's bite.
A 26-year-old man was yesterday remanded in custody after appearing in the Waitakere District Court on eight charges which included aggravated assault, injuring with intent and possession of a weapon.
Police also laid separate domestic violence charges against the man.
