Ram raid accused appears in court

A man accused of embarking on a ram raid crime spree across Christchurch in the early hours of this morning has appeared in court.

Hamish Alex McDonald, 21, is accused of being a part of a gang that drove a Nissan Terrano into two petrol stations - Challenge service station on Bridge St and Z Energy on Hawke St - about 3.40am and later a dairy on Bower Ave.

Police say McDonald and a 17-year-old woman were arrested at the scene.

However, two other offenders fled the scene in a second vehicle and narrowly avoided running down a police officer, police said.

"As they fled the scene their vehicle has collided with a patrol car which was not occupied at the time," said Detective Inspector Tony Hill.

Acting Senior Sergeant Jim Currie earlier said it was fortunate the police officer was not injured.

"He was lucky it missed him and it got the car instead," he said.

The fleeing vehicle, a grey Nissan Terrano registration US9037, was initially pursued by police along New Brighton Rd.

But the chase was abandoned "due to the manner of driving", Mr Hill said.

Police inquiries are ongoing to locate the fleeing vehicle and the two offenders.

It's not yet known what, if anything, was taken in the alleged raids.

McDonald, of Phillipstown, appeared from custody at Christchurch District Court this morning facing charges that include dishonestly and without claim of right taking a Nissan Terrano, failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, and burglary.

He made no application for bail and was remanded in custody without plea to August 3.

Danielle Lesly Marie Pearce, 17, has been charged with dishonestly and without claim of right getting into a vehicle.

She was granted a registrar's remand today until August 19.