A string of at least five vehicle crashes before midday - including a car colliding with a portable loo - has kept Northland police busy today.
The first crash happened when a fleeing vehicle with five teenagers crashed into a roadside barrier at the intersection of SH1 and Portland Rd about 5.45am.
The vehicle, believed to be stolen from Hawke's Bay, was first spotted on Western Hills Dr and a police pursuit began. A spokesman said police stopped the pursuit before the vehicle was found crashed south of the city.
Within five minutes of police arriving, two females aged 15 and 16 and three males aged 14, 15 and 17 had been arrested. All were from Auckland.
A 17-year-old was to appear in Whangarei District Court today on charges of failing to stop, dangerous driving, unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle and breach of bail.