As stated by Inspector Grant Tetzlaff, Acting Auckland City District Commander:
A 30-year-old man is facing serious charges after he fled from Police and drove dangerously before crashing in northern Waikato.
At around 11.40pm on Tuesday, a vehicle of interest was seen on Dominion Road, Sandringham.
This vehicle had been reported stolen at gun point earlier in the day from the south Auckland area.
Eagle located the vehicle as it entered the Southern Motorway at Newmarket and monitored it as it travelled towards East Tāmaki.
As the vehicle exited the motorway onto East Tāmaki Road officers attempted to perform a traffic stop, however the vehicle took off at speed.
The driver was seen driving in a dangerous manner through south Auckland, turning off its lights and reaching high speeds on residential streets.
The vehicle re-entered the motorway at SH20 and continued south towards Te Kauwhata.
Police units were able to spike the vehicle, and it continued for a short distance before losing control and crashing into wire median dividers.
As officers approached the vehicle, the sole occupant had barricaded himself inside.
Officers observed live ammunition on his lap.
Police deployed a taser, before being able to extract the man from the vehicle.
He was taken into custody and transported to Waikato Hospital in a moderate condition after receiving injuries from a dog bite during his arrest.
A search of the vehicle located two handguns and a large amount of live ammunition.
It is pleasing that these firearms are now out of circulation in our community.
The 30-year-old man will face failing to stop, reckless driving, receiving, possession of firearms and resisting arrest.
Police are continuing to make enquires into the initial stolen vehicle report, and we cannot rule out further charges in that matter.
As standard procedure, the Independent Police Conduct Authority will be notified of the incident.
