Two offenders tried it on, and failed, after an alleged shoplifting at a clothing retailer.
The pair face court today after Police caught up with them in west Auckland on Tuesday morning.
Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager Acting Inspector Nick Salter says around 11am a unit was travelling through Henderson CBD, when a shoplifting was reported.
"A vehicle had been parked outside the retailer on Great North Road, with three people reported to be stealing clothing from inside," he says.
"The offenders were confronted by staff, before they fled to the vehicle with stolen property."
A Police unit came across the vehicle a short time later.
"Officers signalled for the vehicle to stop, however it failed to do so and sped away," he says.
"The unit did not pursue and lost sight of the vehicle."
A short time later units saw the vehicle again on Lincoln Road, not far from where it had originally been signalled to stop for Police.
"Eagle deployed into the area and was quickly above the vehicle, tracking its movements," Acting Inspector Salter says.
"When the vehicle stopped at a red-light officers took the opportunity to apprehend the occupants."
With the alleged offenders in custody Police were able to conduct further enquires.
"We discovered that the plates on the vehicle did not match the VIN number, and the correct registration showed it as stolen," Acting Inspector Salter says.
"This was great work by our staff in continuing to follow up and look out for this vehicle until it was eventually found and the alleged offenders taken into custody."
Two men, with gang links, will appear in court.
A 24-year-old man will appear in the Waitākere District Court today charged with shoplifting, failing to stop and cannabis-related offences.
A 34-year-old man will also appear in the Waitākere District Court today charged with shoplifting.
