Woman arrested over harbour plunge pursuit

The car and two people were found. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Police have caught a woman they say was in a car that drove off the Beach Haven wharf during a police pursuit last month.

Linda Cherie Phillips, 33, was arrested in West Auckland last night.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kim Libby would not say how police arrested Phillips but said she would be facing a number of charges.

He said Phillips had been charged with three counts of burglary and one of theft of a car.

Mr Libby said further charges were likely to follow.

Phillips was one of at least three people in a car which plunged into the Waitemata Harbour on March 24.

The car earlier struck and seriously injured a police constable who was laying road spikes on Esmonde Rd.

Police spokesman Kevin Loughlin said the officer, who spent time in
hospital, is expected back at work next week.

At least three people tried to swim to safety after the car went into the water.

One man was arrested nearby shortly afterwards but a woman believed to be Phillips and Sheean Leroy Heta, 23, swam across Hellyers Creek and escaped.

Heta was caught in Wellington five days.

Heta has appeared in North Shore District Court charged with driving while disqualified, dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, failing to stop for police and entering a building with intent to commit a crime.

A 28-year-old man apprehended at Beach Haven has also appeared in court, charged with burglary and unlawfully getting into a vehicle.

Phillips is due to appear in the North Shore District Court this morning.

- NZHERALD STAFF