Police use spikes to halt man with fake gun

A police chase ended dramatically on the outskirts of Rotorua this morning when spikes were used to stop a suspected armed man.

Kawerau police were alerted about 11.30pm when a man was seen in the town in possession of what was believed to be a pistol.

The armed offenders squad spotted him in a vehicle an hour later and gave chase as he drove towards Rotorua.

Police lay spikes near the Whakatane turnoff on State Highway 30 which shredded the man's front tyres but he continued driving another 3km towards Rotorua on his rims before police forced him off the road.

A 28-year- old Kawerau man was arrested and an imitation pistol was recovered.

Police said no one was injured in the chase.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)