Police dog and handler in 3km chase

A police dog and handler chased five men for 3km when they fled from a car smash.

Sergeant Nigel Formosa said the men were in a car that crashed into a parked vehicle in the Napier suburb of Taradale early on Sunday morning.

The driver drove to another location before stopping and he and his four passengers abandoned the vehicle.

"The dog handler tracked the first two passengers and returned them to police staff, then managed to locate a second track and eventually found the driver and two remaining passengers," Mr Formosa said

He said the dog and handler covered about 3km during the chase, which lasted for an hour.

"As a result, a 17-year-old local male will be facing several charges."

Mr Formosa said to cover such a large area and to track everyone involved in an urban setting was an outstanding result.

The arrested man will appear in Napier District Court.

- NZPA