Teens lead police on overnight chase

Police caught one teen after a short foot chase. The other two offenders were also caught shortly before midday yesterday. File photo

Three teenagers led police on an overnight chase through the Bay of Plenty after robbing a taxi driver of his van in Hamilton.

Police said the taxi driver was robbed of his van by three offenders in Hillcrest, Hamilton, on Sunday night.

The stolen van was then seen by a police patrol at the lower Kaimais shortly after midnight yesterday.

Detective Sergeant Craig Rawlinson of Western Bay of Plenty police said the offenders did not stop and travelled at speed into Tauranga.

They fled down Cambridge Rd, onto Takitimu Dr, across the Tauranga Harbour Bridge, down Hewletts Rd and then down Maunganui Rd.

The teens then abandoned the van on State Highway 2, a short distance past ASB Baypark Stadium, and ran.

Police caught one teen after a short foot chase. The other two offenders were caught in the Matapihi area shortly before midday yesterday.

A 17-year-old male and two 15-year-old males will appear in the Tauranga district and youth courts this morning in relation to the aggravated robbery.