Taser swiftly ends slow police chase

A driver was pepper-sprayed then Tasered after a low-speed car chase through West Auckland yesterday.

Police said the 26-year-old was pulled over for a minor traffic infringement in Auckland's Glen Eden when he became aggressive, threatening an officer with a screwdriver and tyre iron before driving away.

The Northland man, the only person in the car, then drove across West Auckland, hitting 47km/h before being stopped in Te Atatu South.

Witnesses said the chase came to an end when following police managed to wedge his car between their cars. One said he still had a screwdriver in his hand and was making threatening gestures.

"I saw the cops warn him and then they shot him with a Taser," said Farouk Shah. "It's scary seeing this sort of thing when you have children living in the community."

Henderson police Sergeant Michael Lawes confirmed the man was pepper-sprayed then Tasered after he refused to comply with directions and waved a screwdriver.

The man will appear in the Waitakere District Court on Monday.