Alleged teen car thieves fail in attempt to flee police

Quick-thinking police officers found two stolen vehicles within 30 minutes of them allegedly being taken from east Auckland on the night of Sunday, March 9.

At about 10.10pm, police observed a vehicle travelling at high speed heading south on Chapel Road.

Senior sergeant Anson Lin of Counties Manukau East Police says officers signalled for the vehicle to stop but it failed to do so.

“No pursuit was initiated and the vehicle has eventually slowed due to damage to one of the wheels and come to a stop on Great South Road, Manurewa,” Lin says.

“Both occupants were then taken into custody with the assistance of Delta, the police dog unit.”

Lin says officers made a number of enquiries and located a second stolen vehicle, which had been abandoned on Corta Bella Place in Golflands.

“Within 30 minutes of noticing the first vehicle, police had located two stolen vehicles and taken two people into custody,” he says.

“This is a great example of staff working hard to hold those responsible for this type of crime in our communities to account.”

A 17-year-old will appear in Manukau Youth Court on March 24 charged with two counts of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, failing to stop, driving while forbidden and dangerous driving.

A 15-year-old has been charged with two counts of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and will appear in Manukau Youth Court on March 17.