High-speed chase ends in arrest

This scene, like something out of a Hollywood blockbuster, greeted drivers heading into Auckland yesterday morning.

The drama, captured by motorist Nicola McNabb, began with raids on six central Auckland houses as police searched for a group responsible for a string of armed robberies.

Around 7.25am, two suspects fled a Ponsonby house and drove at up to 120km/h through suburban streets as they headed for the Northwestern Motorway.

With the police in pursuit, they ran red lights, tried to ram squad cars and crashed into a truck.

On the motorway, mechanical problems forced the car to a stop near Western Springs, and armed officers quickly surrounded it.

Ms McNabb, 18, took this photo as police pointed guns at the driver, who soon surrendered. "They all got out of the cars and had the whole guns-behind-open-car-doors thing. It was very exciting."

Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Grimstone said the chase was unfortunate but showed the type of people police were dealing with. "These guys are dangerous and desperate."

The driver faces charges related to supply and dealing of a class-A drug.