A man has been arrested following a 50km “incredibly dangerous, fast-moving” incident which involved a carjacking in the Kapiti Coast District earlier today.
Inspector Renee Perkins, area commander Kāpiti-Mana said in a statement a man was initially noticed driving in Waitangirua and was asked to stop.
However, the man fled from police, and was pursued north to State Highway 59, Paremata.
“Police abandoned the pursuit [on State Highway 53] due to the vehicle travelling dangerously on the wrong side of the road,” Perkins said.
The vehicle continued driving north and road spikes were “successfully deployed” in Paekākāriki.
The man the drove towards Kapiti, where he allegedly “took a car from a member of the public” and drove south on Transmission Gully while evading police.
The Armed Offenders Squad was utilised and followed the vehicle as he drove south.
The man exited Transmission Gully at Waitangirua and was brought to a stop by police on Champion St, Porirua.
“The man was arrested without further danger to the public,” Perkins said.
“I want to acknowledge the work of police staff in this incredibly dangerous, fast-moving situation. Those involved were able to make critical decisions to ensure the safety of everybody involved.”
The pursuit covered a roughly 100km round trip from Waitangirua to Paekākāriki and back.