Seven teenagers have been arrested after trying to flee police in three stolen rental cars, police say.
File photo. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
An off-duty police officer spotted the cars being driven dangerously in central Rotorua at about 5.30 this morning.
On-duty officers were alerted and they caught up with the cars on State Highway 5 heading north, police said.
One car turned around in Mamaku and road spikes were used to stop it at the Ngongotaha roundabout a short time later.
The two other vehicles were being driven north on State Highway 28.
One hit a kerb and blew a front tyre near Tapapa.
The third car crashed into a ditch on State Highway 29 in the lower Kaimai area.
Police said the teenagers were aged between 14 and 17.
They would face a range of driving and burglary-related charges.