An offender who fled Northland Police in a stolen vehicle was located drenched, defiant and in possession of methamphetamine yesterday.
At around 1pm, an officer in Kaeo sighted a vehicle reported stolen following a burglary.
Mid/Far North Area Prevention Manager, Senior Sergeant Clem Armstrong, says the driver saw Police and took off.
"The driver fled but was not pursued."
A short time later, the vehicle was sighted on Waiare Road, Kaeo. The vehicle was then abandoned, and a man was seen running into the bush.
Contending with bad weather, Police established cordons to locate the alleged offender.
Around 2.15pm, a car heading north on Waiare Road was stopped by Police.
"An officer approached the vehicle and noted the passenger was soaking wet and agitated.
"Both the driver and passenger were non-compliant with officers," Senior Sergeant Armstrong says.
The eagle-eyed officer sighted drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, and a search was invoked. Drug utensils, cannabis and methamphetamine were located.
The keys to the stolen vehicle were found in the passenger's bag.
The driver and the passenger were arrested.
A 34-year-old man will appear in Kaikohe District Court today, charged with receiving stolen property, possession of a Class A controlled drug, and possession of drug utensils.
A 31-year-old woman has been charged with possession of methamphetamine and failing to carry out obligations in relation to a computer search. She will appear in Kaikohe District Court on 7 April.
