Fleeing thief rams four cop cars

Four Police vehicles are damaged, an officer's hand was cut and a Remuera resident's Toyota Hiace van is badly damaged after a fleeing driver in the stolen van drove through several eastern suburbs before finally being cornered in Pakuranga this afternoon.

The drama started at about 12.40 in Greenlane East Rd when the owner of a property arrived home to find his house had just been burgled and the offender was driving off in his Toyota Hiace van.

The owner challenged the offender and tried to stop him but his attempts were unsuccessful. Minutes later Police located the stolen van heading south and Police Air Support Unit, Eagle, went overhead to observe and inform ground staff who were following but not in pursuit.

The offender continued to drive dangerously, underpassing on the inside of lanes and deliberately driving into oncoming traffic. He drove into the Pakuranga area and, during a Police attempt to spike the vehicle, the driver rammed two patrol cars. The spiked vehicle drove onto Ti Rakau drive before heading into a dead end street where the offender continued to drive at Police vehicles but was eventually stopped shortly after 2pm in Kentigern Close.

Inspector Shawn Rutene of the Northern Communications Centre says the offender was determined to drive dangerously despite efforts by Police to safely stop him.

"He showed absolutely no regard for the safety of other road users and our staff and we're all very grateful this escapade ended with only minor injuries to the vehicle's owner and one of our officers."

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