Wanted man tries to give students 'a lesson in love'

A wanted Whangarei man was caught by police moments after bursting into a classroom at a local high school, where he declared he would give the class "a lesson in love".

The 34-year-old, wanted on violence, drugs and driving charges, was nabbed by police yesterday.

He was spotted by police allegedly driving a stolen car on Whangarei's Central Ave. When they signalled him to pull over he allegedly sped off, ditching the car near Tikipunga High School, about 5km north of Whangarei, and running into the school grounds.

He burst into a physical education class, closed the door and told the class he was going to teach them "about love", relief teacher Kylie Templeton told the Northern Advocate newspaper.

He fled at the same time police contacted the school, which went into lockdown.

Students returned to their classrooms and locked the doors.

Acting Sergeant James Calvert told NZPA the man left the school grounds and was confronted by police on an adjacent street, where he was arrested.

He was charged with disqualified driving, failing to stop, reckless driving and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, along with injuring with intent relating to an earlier incident.

More charges were likely, police said.

He appeared in Whangarei District Court today.

Mr Calvert said the offender had been "actively evading [police] for several weeks" and had been wanted on violence, drugs and driving charges.

- NZPA