Police did not initiate a chase because they could track the car using GPS. Photo: Andrey Popov / 123rf
Three youths were arrested on Tuesday after allegedly stealing a car fitted with a GPS tracker.
Police said they received reports of a Toyota being driven "erratically" in Napier at about 7am. The car had been reported stolen from Gisborne overnight.
When they spotted the vehicle, it sped off towards Taupō.
"Police did not pursue and instead maintained a safe distance from the vehicle and placed staff at wider cordons," said Acting Senior Sergeant Scott Munro, aware the car had a GPS tracker attached.
Perhaps unaware their location was being broadcast, the trio headed towards Taupō. The tyres were spiked, but they continued, riding on the rims until the car was "undriveable".
Once they stopped, police arrested the youths, aged 14, 15 and 16.
"In this case, we were fortunate the vehicle had a tracking device," said Munro. "All three youths are facing a variety of charges, one for breaching bail conditions."
He said two other vehicles were stolen in Gisborne around the same time as the Toyota, one of which has been recovered so far.
Arrests in Dunedin, one still on the run
Police also arrested two youths on Tuesday in Dunedin, and are still seeking a third.
"Two of the youths were involved in multiple incidents across the Otago region over the weekend, including three burglaries, two unlawful vehicle takes, and a petrol drive-off," police said in a statement.
"During one of the burglaries in Alexandra, a vehicle belonging to a member of the public was rammed by the offenders leaving the scene."
Both of those arrested were girls, one 14 and the other 17.
"One youth remains outstanding in relation to the burglaries and enquiries remain ongoing to locate them."