High-speed chase in city

Police twice abandoned a 100km/h car chase in central Wellington last night after the stolen car careered into another car but kept going.

Police gave chase after the silver Mitsubishi Galant's four young occupants asked to borrow a pedestrian's cellphone then drove off with it.

Four men aged in their 20s were last night in custody with charges pending, and police expressed fury at having to clean up another mess after "exceptionally dangerous driving".

"Look at [Hastings], where four people died," said Sergeant Bruce Mackay. "Nobody learns their lesson and we pick up the pieces. They don't care a jot about anybody."

After police tried unsuccessfully to stop the car near Wellington Harbour, the driver sped around the Basin Reserve, the country's biggest roundabout, ramming a stationary car by the traffic lights.

Despite extensive damage to the front of the Galant, it continued speeding south past Wellington Hospital as police called off the high-speed chase for safety reasons.

The car ran through several sets of red lights before swerving on to the northbound motorway and roaring past the Beehive at 5pm.

Police found it abandoned on the motorway just north of Wellington, as the occupants fled on foot. A ski mask and knife were found in the abandoned car.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY