A high-speed police pursuit that began after an alleged home invasion in East Auckland ended in central Auckland on Tuesday afternoon, with four men arrested after a stolen ute was driven dangerously through several suburbs.
Police said the vehicle rammed police cars and collided with multiple vehicles during the chase, which stretched from Howick through South Auckland and onto the Southern Motorway before ending on Karangahape Rd, according to 1News.
Superintendent Shanan Gray said officers were called to reports of an aggravated burglary at a property on Bleakhouse Rd in Howick around 3.10 pm on Tuesday. The offenders were reported to be armed with a machete and fled the scene in a Ford Ranger stolen from the address. A woman at the address told 1News her husband was home at the time of the incident and that it was "very scary".
A short time later the vehicle was spotted heading towards East Tāmaki.
Police Eagle helicopter tracked the ute as it was driven dangerously through Ōtara and Manukau before entering the Southern Motorway and continuing towards central Auckland. Authorities said the driver travelled at high speeds and repeatedly crossed onto the wrong side of the road, posing a serious risk to the public.
“Through the course of the incident, the vehicle was involved in several collisions with vehicles belonging to members of the public,” Gray said, as quoted by 1News.
"Police vehicles were rammed on more than one occasion."
He said the armed offenders squad was deployed "given the risk posed" and pursued the vehicle on Queen St, carrying out a vehicle stop on Karangahape Rd and taking all four occupants into custody, 1News has reported.
Police used several tactics during the operation, including a distraction device, a non-lethal sponge round and a police dog.
St John said it responded with an ambulance, a rapid response unit and an operations manager.
"One patient, in moderate condition, has been transported to the hospital. Three additional patients, all in minor condition, were assessed at the scene," a spokesperson said, as quoted by 1News.
According to 1news, the incident also disrupted public transport services in central Auckland. Auckland Transport said several bus routes were detoured, including routes 18, 195, 209, 11T, 11W, 105, WX1, 866 and 966.
Routes 11T, 11W, 18 and 209 were detouring via Vincent St, while Route 105 was diverting through Ponsonby Rd and Vincent St.
Stops along Karangahape Rd, Ponsonby Rd and Hopetoun St were being skipped, including those near Karanga-a-Hape Station, the YMCA and Rainbow Bridge, as reported by 1News.
Police are now asking anyone affected during the pursuit to come forward.
“Police are aware a number of people may have been victims of minor collisions or have been sideswiped by the offending vehicle," Gray said, as quoted by 1News.
Anyone who believes their vehicle was damaged by a white Ford Ranger between 3.15 pm and 4.30 pm is asked to contact police on 105.