Police have arrested a man after a police car was rammed near Auckland Airport and a vehicle was driven off through several Auckland suburbs this afternoon.
The incident escalated from an initial report of a man reported to be assaulting a woman in a vehicle while parked in a shopping centre car park at around 12.55pm.
Inspector Peter Raynes said airport police arrived as the vehicle concerned was leaving and a traffic stop was conducted on George Bolt Memorial Dr.
“The female driver suffered minor injuries after exiting from the vehicle as it rolled back at slow speed,” he said.
“The male passenger then moved into the driver’s seat and proceeded to reverse into the police vehicle, damaging it.”
Airport police got out of their vehicle, Raynes said, and the man reversed the car towards them repeatedly.
“Those staff, who are routinely armed, briefly presented a firearm, fearing for their safety,” said Raynes.
Police said the vehicle took off at speed and was initially pursued before the police Eagle helicopter took over observation.
Raynes said the vehicle was tracked heading north on State Highway 20 towards the Waterview Tunnel and eventually into Te Atatū Peninsula where it was abandoned at Harbour View Beach Reserve.
“After initially fleeing on foot, he was quickly taken into custody by ground staff.”
Charges were yet to be confirmed for a 28-year-old man, Raynes said.
