Fleeing driver arrested after police chase stolen vehicle through Waikato

After several attempts by police to stop the vehicle, the car crashed on a bend on Te Kowhai Rd, approximately 2km out of Te Kowhai. Photo / Google Maps

A 22-year-old man has been arrested after fleeing police and driving dangerously in a stolen vehicle through Waikato.

Police received nine complaints from members of the public concerned about the speed and driving behaviour of the vehicle as it was driven into the Waikato region this morning.

Senior sergeant Pete van de Wetering said after several attempts to stop the vehicle, the car crashed on a bend on Te Kowhai Rd, approximately 2km out of Te Kowhai.

"The offender ran from the vehicle but was caught and arrested," he said.

He sustained minor injuries as a result of the crash and is currently in Police custody while being treated in hospital.

Police first attempted to stop the stolen vehicle on State Highway 1 north of Huntly at about 10am today.

The driver failed to stop and fled from the Huntly Police patrol, passing through Taupiri and towards the expressway where it U-turned before heading towards Gordonton.

"The following Police unit pulled back, concerned about safety due to the speeding vehicle," van de Wetering said.

The vehicle was located a short time later in Lake Rd, approaching River Rd, near Horotiu.

Police again attempted to stop it but were unsuccessful as the stolen car was driving towards Ngaruawahia.

During a search in the area, police spotted the vehicle on Te Kowhai Rd travelling south out of Ngaruawahia shortly after 11am before it crashed.

Charges will be laid against the 22-year-old later today.

The Serious Crash Unit is investigating.

Van de Wetering said police are extremely grateful to the people who made the complaints.

"It was clear the general public were being put at risk by this dangerous driver and the information these people provided was integral in helping Police to get him off our roads."