New Zealand / Auckland Region

Gang member and another person arrested after fleeing driver incident in Auckland

11:12 am on 25 September 2024

The vehicle was tracked by the police Eagle helicopter. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas

A gang member, and another person facing multiple arrest warrants, have been taken into custody after a fleeing driver incident .

Police said a vehicle linked to a wanted person was spotted on the Ellerslie-Panmure Highway shortly after 1am on Wednesday.

The vehicle failed to stop for police, and drove erratically around central Auckland before being successfully spiked near Greenlane.

In a statement, Inspector Jim Wilson said police signalled for the vehicle to stop near Karangahape Road, but it sped away and after that it was monitored by the police helicopter.

Police did not pursue the vehicle but continued to track its movements, he said.

"On several occasions the driver has been observed driving extremely dangerously through parts of central Auckland and Balmoral, before heading east again."

Police used spikes to stop the vehicle near Greenlane but it carried on until losing control in Saint Johns, he said.

A 29-year-old woman wanted by police was a passenger in the vehicle, and was found with a pump action shot gun, a cut down point .22 calibre rifle, and ammunition.

She will be appearing in court on Wednesday.

A 30-year-old Comancheros gang member, will also be appearing in court on Wednesday, charged with multiple firearms offences and reckless driving.