Wanted gang member injured after police pursuit

A Black Power gang member is in hospital with serious spinal injuries after crashing his motorbike while being chased by police in Hamilton last night.

The 37-year-old man's house was searched yesterday by Counties-Manukau police as part of an operation targeting Black Power members.

That operation resulted in the seizure of substantial amounts of methamphetamine, cannabis, firearms, stolen property and cash.

Hamilton City area commander Inspector Paul Carpenter said the man first came to police attention just before midnight last night when the bike was seen driving at speed on Ellicot Rd in the Hamilton suburb of Dinsdale.

A police patrol began following the bike as it drove erratically around several streets in the suburb. Mr Carpenter said the bike sped off, then slowed right down several times and the driver appeared to be struggling to control the bike.

The man lost control of the Ducati motorbike just after midnight on a slight bend on Tuhikaramea Rd, west of Hamilton, just south of Collins Rd.

Mr Carpenter said because police were involved in the incident, a report would be sent to the Police Complaints Authority.

- NZPA