TAUPO - A Lower Hutt man has admitted stealing a car and petrol and then leading police on a 40km high-speed chase during which he hit a police officer.
Regan Shannon McKinley, 20, of Petone, pleaded guilty to 11 charges when he appeared before Judge James Rota in Taupo District Court today. He was remanded for sentencing on September 7.
McKinley stole a Subaru Impreza and then $105 worth of petrol from BP Geyser in Rotorua on August 10.
He later refused to get out of the vehicle after being stopped by police on State Highway 5, north of Taupo. He sped off, striking Constable Janine O'Connor on the knee and was chased for 40km at speeds up to 170km/h.
After road spikes deflated three tyres on the car, he drove another 9km before being stopped and arrested.
