Police blocked off Te Ore Ore Bideford Road on Tuesday as they sought to arrest an erratic driver. PHOTO/ALEYNA MARTINEZ
ALEYNA MARTINEZ
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An erratic driver exceeded speeds of 100kmh in 50kmh zones in Masterton early Tuesday afternoon, while fleeing from police.
Police observed the man driving a black Holden Commodore along Cockburn St at 65kmh shortly after 1pm.
When they tried to pull him over on Colombo Rd he failed to stop and drove off in the Commodore at speeds so concerning that officers abandoned the pursuit, Wairarapa Police Response Manager Senior Sergeant Jennifer Hansen said.
The vehicle was then seen by another unit on Te Ore Ore-Bideford Rd, but when they tried to pull it over for the second time, “the vehicle reversed very quickly towards the police car so the officer had to take evasive action reversing back at speed in order for there not to be a collision”, Hansen said.
“The vehicle then went up a driveway to a residential property and units attended.”
After some negotiation, the 44-year-old driver, who was known to police, was taken into custody.
A police dog handler came from Wellington to assist “which occurs when drivers fail to stop and we believe the driver may have decamped from the vehicle”, Hansen said, but they were not put to work.
The man was to appear in court yesterday charged with aggravated failing to stop, dangerous driving, and aggravated assault.
