Two people have been arrested after a dramatic high-speed chase saw an officer injured and police vehicles rammed in Northland on Wednesday evening.
The ordeal started when police spotted a vehicle of interest at a petrol station in the Whangārei suburb of Raumanga at around 10:30pm.
Police found out the vehicle was registered to a "person of interest" who had a warrant for arrest for a probation matter.
"The police unit called for assistance, however as police approached and signalled for the vehicle to remain stationary, the vehicle of interest has left the area at speed," Whangārei Area Commander Inspector Maria Nordstrom said.
"The vehicle narrowly missed one of our staff members who was on foot at the time."
Police authorised a pursuit of the vehicle, which was travelling at speed on State Highway 1.
The vehicle continued to evade officers by driving on the wrong side of the road as it drove west on Loop Road towards Otaika Valley Road.
Inspector Nordstrom said it was at this point the vehicle braked heavily and reversed.
"The vehicle intentionally collided with a police vehicle before continuing to travel west, through Maungatapere onto Mangakahia Road to Titoki," Insp Nordstrom said.
"While on Tokiri Road, the driver once again braked suddenly and rammed a following police vehicle, which has caused extensive damage."
Additional police vehicles continued to pursue the vehicle, but it turned around and drove directly at a police car.
"Our Police vehicle, seeing what the driver was going to do, has attempted to move out of the line of the vehicle," Insp Nordstrom said.
"The vehicle collided with the side of the Police unit. The vehicle has then come to a stop and the occupants have attempted to flee the area on foot."
The police dog unit Delta tracked and caught the four people who were arrested without further incident.
Inspector Nordstrom said this was a positive outcome to a very risky situation.
"Those involved showed total disregard for the safety of the public and our staff with no sign of willingness to deescalate the situation," she said.
"It is incredibly lucky none of our officers or those involved were seriously harmed during the incident, however we are providing support to one member who received a minor injury."
The 31-year-old male driver is facing multiple charges relating to failing to stop, assault, and resisting police and will appear in the Whangārei District Court on Thursday.
A 29-year-old female has also been charged with driving in a dangerous manner and failing to stop and will appear in Court in due course.
Two other passengers who were taken into custody have since been released without charge, Insp Nordstrom said.
