Teen arrested after fleeing police

A Mt Maunganui teenager has been arrested after fleeing from police in a stolen vehicle this morning.

The 17-year-old man was disturbed committing a burglary at a Papamoa house, about 20km south-east of Tauranga, about 11am today, Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders of Tauranga police said.

Police at the scene chased the man on foot, but were unable to catch him. He made his way to where he had parked the stolen Toyota and drove off.

A short time later, police patrol spotted the car and signalled the man to stop, but he ignored directions and again fled.

Police followed the car around Mt Maunganui and Papamoa and deployed road spikes on Kairua Road.

Though the spikes deflated the stolen car's tyres, the man continued on and the chase was called off.

The man then abandoned the car near Baypark Stadium and ran across the highway and into a block of houses where he stole a pushbike and again tried to evade police.

He was caught shortly after.

"When are these people going to learn?" Mr Saunders said.

"Fleeing from the police in vehicles is fraught with danger and these offenders are exposing themselves, police and most importantly the community at large to unnecessary risk.

"When signalled by police to do so, the message is simply stop," he said.

- NZPA