A 14-year-old is in hospital with head injuries after crashing and rolling a car while fleeing police.
The teenager was part of a group disrupted by police attempting to break into a store in Tauranga.
An officer witnessed four people getting ready to burgle the store at around 1:20am Wednesday, a police spokesperson said in a statement. Two offenders were taken into custody, however, one escaped in a stolen vehicle.
The 14-year-old drove over the Kaimai Ranges and along State Highway 27 towards Matamata.
"Police followed but were not actively pursuing at the time," the spokesperson said.
While police were preparing to lay road spikes on State Highway 27 near Taihoa South Road, the driver crashed and rolled the vehicle at about 2:10am.
He was taken to Waikato Hospital with a serious head injury, where he remains in a stable condition.
Waikato East Area Commander Inspector Mike Henwood warned fleeing police is not worth it.
"You put yourself, other members of the public in danger, and Police staff at risk," he said in a statement.
"When you’re signalled by Police to stop, please just stop, as the outcome will be better for everyone involved."
Police said the driver is likely to face charges.
Newshub.
