Men arrested after taking police on stolen car chase

Two men were arrested today after police chased the car they stole for more than an hour around Manawatu.

The pursuit began at 8am after Feilding police tried to stop the stolen car, which was travelling at 150km/h.

The driver went towards Waituna West, 24km northeast of Feilding, and then continued along remote rural roads towards Rangiwahia, 53km northeast of Feilding, central districts police communications manager Kim Perks said.

The car was stolen from Awapuni near Palmerston North this morning, Ms Perks said.

Police laid road spikes in the area but before reaching the spikes the car spun around and headed back towards Vinegar Hill, 44km southwest of Taihape, she said.

A second attempt with road spikes took out two of the tyres and a third attempt flattened the rest.

The car was on its rims and carried on to the Vinegar Hill Reserve where both men got out.

A 19-year-old and a 20-year-old were arrested a short time later after being found in bush by a police dog, Ms Perks said.

The 20-year-old was charged with failing to stop, driving while disqualified, theft of a motor vehicle and dangerous driving.

He was due in Feilding District Court today.

The 19-year-old was charged with unlawfully getting into a vehicle and possession of cannabis, and was bailed to appear in Feilding District Court on May 27.

- NZPA