Driver caught after high speed chase

A 35-year-old man was arrested and will be appearing in court on a variety of charges after he drove at high speed pursued by police in Orewa north of Auckland today.

Police gave chase after the man's Ford Telstar was spotted being driven erratically by other motorists.

Police intercepted the vehicle on Grand Drive at 3pm. The driver refused to stop but the police pursuit was abandoned when the driver accelerated to 110km/h in a 70km/h zone.

The driver continued to overtake other traffic at high speed and reportedly came close to losing control on several occasions, police said.

Road spikes were used but the driver made a U turn and carried on.

The man turned off SH17 north of Hatfields Beach onto private property and a helicopter was able to direct a dog unit to block his escape.

The driver was caught and would be appearing in court.

Police said the man reportedly took the vehicle from a family member without permission after drinking liquor.

- NZPA