Mud fails to stop police chase

Whakatane police chased a man on foot after their patrol car was rammed and then become bogged down in mud.

Senior Sergeant Bruce Jenkins said police were following a stolen utility vehicle towards Domain Rd on Wednesday.

After police cut the vehicle off, the male driver of the ute - who had a 10-year-old girl with him - allegedly rammed the patrol car.

Police continued to chase the ute to Warren Park.

"Both the ... vehicle and the patrol car became bogged down in mud in the park," said Mr Jenkins.

The man and the girl ran off but were chased and caught by a constable with a police dog.

A 29-year-old man appeared in the Whakatane District Court yesterday charged with a variety of offences and consented to a remand in custody until June 14.

He has entered no plea to drink-driving, driving while forbidden, failing to stop for red and blue lights, resisting arrest, assault with intent to avoid arrest and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

The pursuit was the second within the Eastern Bay this week. Police apprehended a 16-year-old unlicensed driver on Tuesday night. She has been referred to Youth Aid.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)