Teens evade police in 24-hour crime spree

Two teens went on a crime spree that included stealing a Jaguar before they were arrested in Nelson today. File photos / Sarah Ivey, Paul Estcourt

Two Christchurch teens have been arrested in Nelson after a 24-hour crime spree accross the upper South Island.

The 15-year-old and 17-year-old boys' spree began in Christchurch yesterday when they stole a car and travelled to Kaikoura.

They dumped the car and fled on foot across farmland, and despite being tracked by police dogs for a "considerable distance", managed to evade capture.

The criminal pair next came to attention this morning when "several vehicles" were stolen in Blenheim and the nearby town of Seddon.

"Another vehicle was later stolen from Blenheim and dumped in Havelock, where a further vehicle was then reported as stolen," said Senior Sergeant Stu Koefoed of Nelson Police.

The teens then allegedly robbed a house in the Marlborough town of Havelock, taking firearms and a late-model Jaguar car.

The stolen Jaguar was seen on the Whangamoa Hill near Nelson, but the driver refused to stop for police.

Police used road spikes to stop the car and the two youths were arrested at Taser and gun point without resistance at 2.30pm today.

Stolen property recovered from the car included a loaded air rifle found on the backseat. Police say further firearms are still being sought by police.

The two youths are now in custody and will be appearing in Nelson Youth Court tomorrow on a raft of charges, say police.

- NZ Herald staff