Boy driver leads police on high-speed chase

A 13-year-old driver reached speeds of more than 100km in residential areas as police chased him around Masterton on Tuesday night.

Sergeant Paul Lee said the 7.5km pursuit began after the owner of a stolen car saw it being driven and raised the alarm.

The underage driver and his 17-year-old male passenger eluded police until the car began to have mechanical difficulties.

They abandoned the car and fled on foot but were tracked by a police dog.

A 17-year-old appeared in court yesterday charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, possession of a knife and driving while disqualified.

The 13-year-old has been referred to Youth Aid.

- WAIRARAPA TIMES-AGE (MASTERTON)