A police chase ended south of Rotorua when the driver of a suspected stolen vehicle got stuck in mud. Photo/Ben Fraser
A police chase lasting about 30 minutes came to an abrupt end after the driver of a stolen 4WD vehicle went off-road and got stuck in the mud.
The chase, which involved at least three police cars, began about 2.15pm today on Fairy Springs Rd in Rotorua when the driver allegedly failed to stop for police.
Police then chased the driver through the city.
A police media spokeswoman said the stolen vehicle hit a police car on Ranolf St causing moderate damage to the police car but no injuries.
The car then headed south towards Murupara on State Highway 38.
"Police have deployed spikes and the vehicle has tried to avoid them, but veered off the road and gotten stuck in mud," she said.
Due to rainfall, the vehicle had found itself stuck at the edge of Kaingaroa Forest and a tow truck was needed.
A 25-year-old man was arrested without incident and was likely to appear in court tomorrow, police said.
The 19-year-old was found in a remote area in the hills of Upper Hutt.