A teenager has allegedly stolen a police car while in handcuffs, sitting in the back seat.
Police were helping Oranga Tamariki transport a 16-year-old boy on a flight from Auckland bound for Wellington.
The incident happened on Monday morning at 10:22am at Auckland Airport police station, New Zealand Police said in a statement.
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The patrol car had only been parked briefly when the youth allegedly managed to crawl into the front seat while in handcuffs, and drove through a closed roller door before fleeing the scene.
But the teenager's stint was short-lived.
The vehicle was soon spotted by an Eagle helicopter, and it was located by ground staff ditched outside a property in Randwick Park.
The property was surrounded by police at around 11am and the teenager was taken into custody.
"Thankfully no one was injured during this incident," said Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Jill Rogers.
She said police will be "carrying out a review to establish the full circumstances" around how the incident occurred.
The youth will appear in the Youth Court on Monday afternoon, police said, on charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and escaping custody.
The matter will be referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
Newshub.
