File photo. Photo: 123rf
Two people have been been arrested after allegedly fleeing from police and hijacking a car in Auckland.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kathy Bostock said police responded to reports of a vehicle allegedly carrying stolen license plates in Onehunga at about 5.10pm on Monday.
"The vehicle was initially sighted travelling on Selwyn Road and Eagle was quickly overhead to provide observations.
"The vehicle failed to stop when signalled to do so and, while police did not pursue, Eagle continued to monitor its movements as it travelled south."
Police saw the vehicle travelling on the Southern Motorway before exiting at the Princes Street off-ramp in Ōtāhuhu.
The vehicle briefly stopped at an address on Wedgewood Avenue where the occupants of the fleeing vehicle hijacked another vehicle, said Bostock.
"It is alleged the two occupants of the original vehicle have threatened those in this second car and forced them out, before taking off in their vehicle at speed."
"Police immediately responded to these victims who were thankfully uninjured."
The police helicopter continued to track the pair as they travelled State Highway 20 and State Highway 16 towards Titirangi.
"At this point, the vehicle has crashed into a member of the public's vehicle before coming to a stop outside Lemnos Place," said Bostock.
The pair tried to flee foot but officers found them and they were taken into custody a short time later.
A woman, 48, and a man, 52, have been arrested in relation to the incident.
Both were due to appear in the Auckland District Court on Tuesday on charges related to aggravated assault, unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle, and failing to stop.
This was a volatile incident, which put many lives at risk, said Bostock.
"We are again thankful there were no injuries to members of our community during this incident, however we are incredibly lucky to be able to say that."
Bostock said this manner of driving was "extremely reckless" and it had the potential to cause "serious harm to a number of people".
"We hope these two arrests bring reassurance we are continuing to hold those choosing to engage in this dangerous behaviour to account," she said.