File photo. Photo: 123RF
Five teenagers have been arrested after two cases of drivers fleeing through Auckland, police say.
Officers found a stolen vehicle travelling through Manurewa at about 10.40pm on 1 January, police area commander Inspector Joe Hunter said.
The driver fled, but the police Eagle helicopter followed the vehicle, which was reported to be "speeding, driving dangerously and running multiple red lights," he said.
It had to be spiked twice, losing two tyres in Roscommon Road in Wiri before entering State Highway 20 at Kirkbride Road and finally coming to a stop.
"The driver continued to flee before the vehicle was spiked again on Wallace Road, Māngere Bridge."
Police said it was incredibly fortunate no one on the roads had been seriously injured during the incident.
An 18-year-old was arrested, and was scheduled to appear in court later in January charged with failing to stop, dangerous driving and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
Less than an hour later, officers tried to stop a vehicle in Takanini that was being driven with no headlights on and a broken window, before that driver also fled, Hunter said.
The Eagle helicopter watched as it travelling along State Highway 20, and its tyres were spiked at the Waterview tunnel.
Four young people aged between 13 and 16 were taken into custody.