An Auckland man faces a slew of charges after allegedly repeatedly ramming a Police vehicle in the early hours of Tuesday.
Police have been investigating since the incident occurred during a traffic stop in Mt Wellington at around 2.20am on 8 July.
Relieving Counties Manukau East Area Commander, Inspector Rakana Cook, says the stolen vehicle was seen running a red light near Carbine Road.
¡°One of our frontline units signalled this vehicle to stop, and after driving erratically it came to a stop,¡± he says.
¡°It¡¯s at this point the four-wheel drive was allegedly used to repeatedly ram our patrol vehicle before fleeing the scene.¡±
Fortunately, no Police staff were injured.
A determined Police investigation was soon underway with positive lines of enquiry on the driver.
¡°Our enquiries led a team of Police to an address on Puhinui Road in Papatoetoe yesterday evening, locating the person of interest,¡± he says.
¡°The man attempted to flee on foot from our staff but he was all out of options.¡±
The 44-year-old man was arrested.
Inspector Cook says the man faces serious charges in the Manukau District Court today.
Those charges include two counts of assault with a blunt instrument, resisting Police, failing to stop, unlawfully taking a vehicle and reckless driving.
¡°We have no tolerance for such reckless and violent behaviour directed at our staff,¡± Inspector Cook says.
¡°I¡¯d like to acknowledge our staff involved who were going about their duties in keeping our community safe."
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/51½ÖÉä
