A 16-year-old Dunedin boy will appear in court today after a police officer was almost run over, and for allegedly attempting to pull a knife on a second constable.
Photo: 123RF
The alleged incident occurred yesterday evening after Dunedin police spotted a Subaru WRX matching the description of one reported stolen.
Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen said as the officer made enquiries about the car the youth fled.
"Whilst running checks on it the guy has jumped in the car and taken off ... and almost run the police officer over."
The officer was uninjured and briefly gave pursuit through South Dunedin.
"It was abandoned when he overtook into oncoming traffic and went through a stop sign," Mr Dinnissen said.
After completing further enquiries a police dog was able to track the driver to a South Dunedin address.
"The police dog reached the address where the 16-year-old received a bite while trying to grab a knife," he said.
The teenager received medical treatment and will appear in the Youth Court in Dunedin today.
He faces charges of failing to stop, reckless driving, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, theft ex car and two counts of driving while disqualified.