High-speed street pursuit lands two men in court

File photo / NZ Herald

Two young men are facing charges after allegedly leading police on a high-speed chase through Hastings on Saturday.

The Kawerau men, aged 20 and 21, were apprehended on Townshend Street on Saturday morning after allegedly stealing a car and petrol, then failing to stop for police, Hastings Police Senior Sergeant David Sutherland said.

He said it was believed the occupants had stolen their aunty's car for a joy ride to Hawke's Bay, where they had then allegedly stolen petrol from a Napier service station before refusing to stop for a patrol car.

He said the men had exceeded the speed limit as they fled to Hastings pursued by multiple police cars.

"They are facing charges of taking that car and [the driver is] likely to be charged with reckless driving as well,'' Mr Sutherland said.

Witness Tim Whittaker said he saw the high-speed chase that included smoking tyres and up to six police cars ``hurtling'' through central Hastings.

"I was heading north towards Napier along Tomoana Rd and I think there were about six marked and unmarked police cars just hurtling behind this red Falcon,'' Mr Whittaker said.

"It started swerving across the road and had just come through an intersection at St Aubyn St.

"It looked extremely fast for a built-up area and when it turned there was a lot of smoke coming out of his tyres.''

Senior Sergeant Sutherland said one of the men was taken into custody and would appear in Hastings District Court today.

"Anyone who flees from police creates an element of danger for the public and anybody on the road, and the charge of reckless driving reflects how police treat that sort of thing.''