Man carjacks work ute by dragging employee from vehicle
A man has been caught by police on a Hawke’s Bay highway after allegedly carjacking a work ute by dragging the employee from the vehicle.
The man’s arrest was the culmination of a police operation that spanned two regions and ended with both of the vehicles he had driven being spiked.
It began about 8.50am on Monday south of Taupō when police became aware of the man driving in a “suspicious” manner on State Highway 1.
Bay of Plenty area commander inspector Phil Edwards said instead of stopping for the police’s flashing lights, the man fled.
“Police were able to deploy spikes near Waitahanui Bridge, State Highway 1, stopping the first vehicle.”
Edwards said the man then stole a commercial vehicle that had a man inside it.
“He was removed by the offender, and no injuries were sustained.”
The driver then fled in the commercial vehicle along State Highway 5 towards Hawke’s Bay.
Edwards said police from Taupō and Hawke’s Bay were deployed.
They managed to spike the second vehicle about 9km south of Pohokura, near Te Hāroto.
The man was taken into custody just before 10am.
Charges were pending, Edwards said.
“Police did an excellent job in resolving this offending as quickly and safely as possible.”
Edwards said police wanted to hear from any motorists who witnessed the driving and may have dash cam footage.
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