Spikes stop man fleeing police patrol at 170km/h

Road spikes. Photo / APN

A man wanted by the police fled when he saw the flashing lights of a patrol car after he was clocked speeding near Taupo yesterday.

Taupo road policing patrol Sergeant Steve Denny said he pursued the Toyota Camry station wagon for 5km before abandoning the chase at Waitahanui when it reached 170km/h.

"His manner of driving gave cause for concern. He was overtaking traffic at Waitahanui, and he was going through a 70km/h area as well where it's quite built-up. Nothing's worth that."

The driver, a 45-year-old Hamilton man, had been clocked at 113km/h at 10.20am on the Taupo bypass.

Although Mr Denny had stopped the pursuit, when the man spotted road spikes near the township of Tauranga-Taupo he turned around and sped back up the highway.

Mr Denny resumed the pursuit which lasted 24km and reached 150km/h.

The driver was snapped by a mobile speed camera giving police immediate access to the wagon's number plate.

Road spikes were set out twice more before the offender finally drove through them at the top of the Hatepe Hill near Waitahanui, shredding his left front tyre.

Sergeant Denny said police were in a difficult position in dealing with fleeing motorists. In this case it appeared the man had fled because he was wanted for another matter.

He was to appear in the Taupo District Court today charged with dangerous driving and failing to stop.