A stolen vehicle spotted driving around an Auckland suburb caught the attention of an eye in the sky.
Just after 11pm on Monday, the Police Eagle helicopter crew located a stolen Toyota Aqua travelling through East Tamaki.
Inspector Rod Honan, Counties Manukau East Area Commander, says Eagle alerted staff on the ground to the vehicle's location and spikes were set up.
"As the vehicle approached this intersection near Bairds Road and Waipapa Crescent the driver drove across Bairds Road, mounted the berm and appears to have attempted to run down an officer setting up spikes.
"It's incredibly lucky the officer managed to get out of the way.
"Reckless acts like this will not be tolerated."
Inspector Honan says the vehicle continued along the Southern Motorway at excessive speed and with no headlights on.
"The Toyota has then exited at Papakura where it was successfully spiked, eventually coming to a stop on Dominion Road.
"All four occupants were taken into custody.
"I'd like to acknowledge the professionalism of staff involved in bringing this incident to a safe resolution."
Four youths, aged 13-15, have been referred to Youth Aid Services.
