Failing to stop leads Gisborne driver to court

Police took a man in his mid-20s into custody on Thursday afternoon after a failing-to-stop incident that ended in Cobden St.

A motorist who allegedly failed to stop for police set off a 25-minute chain of events on Thursday afternoon that involved road spikes, shredded tyres, a vehicle dumped in an alleyway and another stolen before it came to an end.

A man was taken into custody by police.

Police said that at around 2.10pm, “a person of interest” was seen driving on Ormond Rd.

“The patrol activated lights and sirens, signalling for the driver to stop. However, he continued and the patrol elected not to pursue,” a police spokesman said.

Area searches were conducted and the driver and vehicle were located on Queens Rd shortly afterwards.

“Police followed, keeping the vehicle in view, and coordinated multiple units to deploy tyre deflation devices [road spikes] to stop the vehicle safely.

“The spikes were successfully deployed on Tyndall Rd and police continued to follow the vehicle through the CBD until the driver abandoned it in an alleyway.”

Police said the driver then ran through a store and allegedly attempted to get away in a second vehicle on Gladstone Rd, leaving the CBD.

“At around 2.45pm, police stopped the second vehicle in Cobden St and the fleeing driver was taken into custody without further incident.”

A 25-year-old man will appear in the Gisborne District Court on a charge of failing to stop and dangerous driving.

“During the incident the driver was driving at lower speeds, but allegedly crossed the centre line several times, went blindly through intersections and was causing a risk to public safety,” police said.