Police track burglary car across city

A stolen car last night led police on a marathon chase from the North Shore and through more than half a dozen suburbs before being stopped almost an hour later in east Auckland.

Police said the red Honda had been used in multiple burglaries. It was spotted on the North Shore before 8pm.

Inspector Barry Smalley of the northern communications centre said police pursued it for a short while but stopped doing so for safety reasons.

The car was then watched by the police helicopter Eagle as it did "an hour's cook's tour of Auckland and environs", said Mr Smalley.

Patrol units from the North Shore, Auckland City and Counties Manukau were involved at various stages as the car was driven from Birkenhead to Pakuranga, taking in Ponsonby, Newmarket, Remuera and Panmure along the way.

He said the car was driven the wrong way through every roundabout.

Two men in the car ran off when it hit spikes on Pakuranga Rd, near the shopping centre, but were caught by police.

Mr Smalley doubted the driver realised he was being followed by the police helicopter.

"It was a successful apprehension of a couple of bad burglars."