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The driver of an allegedly stolen vehicle being chased by police smashed through a railway crossing barrier arm near Christchurch, narrowly avoiding colliding with a train, police said today.
Police were investigating the actions of a group of young people allegedly involved in the high-speed pursuit through Kaiapoi, 19km north of Christchurch, into the northern city suburb of Belfast early on Sunday.
Acting Senior Sergeant Darryl Sweeney, the northern Christchurch police district tactical co-ordinator, said the pursuit came after the group had allegedly committed a raft of offences from central Christchurch to Kaiapoi on Saturday night.
Three men aged 18, 19 and 20 had been charged with multiple offences, including unlawfully taking two motor vehicles, five thefts from cars in central Christchurch, reckless driving, failing to stop for police, disqualified driving, three attempts to steal motor vehicles, four charges of stealing petrol and possessing instruments for converting motor vehicles.
"A particularly aggravating feature of the offending was the driver of the stolen vehicle smashing through a railway barrier and narrowly avoiding an oncoming freight train during the pursuit," Mr Sweeney said.
Two of the group, together with a 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, were apprehended in the South Otago town of Balclutha and charged in relation to the offending.
Mr Sweeney said police would oppose bail "for all persons involved in this crime spree" when they appeared in Christchurch District Court today and tomorrow.
- NZPA
