A 22 year-old Glen Eden man has been charged with multiple offences, following this afternoon's incident in Westcity Mall, Henderson.
Shortly before 12pm, Police officers noticed a suspicious vehicle in Don Buck Road, Massey. A check of the Subaru Legacy revealed it had been stolen from Mt Albert.
Officers used their lights and sirens to signal the car to stop but the driver failed to do so and a pursuit was initiated, however Police chose to abandon it because it was unsafe to continue.
Police spotted the car again several minutes later and the pursuit recommenced but because of the manner in which the driver was driving and the weather conditions (it was raining), the pursuit was again abandoned because of the risk to public safety.
Police laid road spikes at Triangle Road and the Eagle helicopter continued to observe the car from the air as ground units went into search mode.
A Police car with two officers was deployed to the nearby Westcity mall as a precautionary measure, and not long after, the driver drove into Westcity and tried to flee on foot but was caught by two Police officers and arrested.
The 22 year-old man has been charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, failing to stop for red and blue flashing lights, driving while disqualified and reckless driving.
He will appear in the Waitakere District Court on Tuesday 10 February.
ENDS
Issued by Beth Bates/Waitemata Police