Police chase across city after home invasion

EXCLUSIVE - A man has been arrested following a series of crimes which started in Te Atatu with a home invasion and ended in South Auckland with a police chase.

The 28-year-old Te Atatu man, Seiuli Faleauto, is now in police custody after appearing in the Papakura District Court this morning.

He is charged in connection with three crimes around the city late last night.

Police say the first occurred at about 9.50pm in Te Atatu. It is alleged Faleauto broke into a house and threatened the occupants with a knife before stealing their car, a Toyota Corolla.

At about 11pm the Toyota was dumped in Oteha Valley Rd. Moments later police say Faleauto went to a petrol station, held up the attendant and stole a Volkswagen, which was being filled with petrol.

Half-an-hour later Faleauto is alleged to have committed his third crime of the night when he entered Pizza Hutt in Papakura.

Staff were told to hand over money and a car. Faleauto allegedly left in a stolen Mazda Familia.

Detective Sergeant Graeme Fleming said police saw the red Mazda being driven along the Southern Motorway about eight minutes after it was taken from Pizza Hutt.

A short, low-speed, chase ensued and the Mazda was eventually stopped in Kingseat when spikes were laid across the road.

Faleauto appeared in the Papakura District Court this morning charged with failing to stop for police, two counts of aggravated robbery and entering a house with intent to commit a crime.

He has been remanded in custody until his next appearance.