Youths as young as 13 among 7 arrested in Auckland overnight

Seven people have been arrested after three fleeing driver incidents in Auckland since last night and this morning.

Police said among the seven people arrested, four were between the ages of 13 and 16.

Police said around 7.46pm last night, they saw a vehicle heading south on State Highway 1 near Drury, which had been reported stolen from an address in Avondale the day before.

Inspector Joe Hunter, said the driver then pulled into a petrol station at Bombay and filled up before taking off without paying.

“The Police Eagle helicopter has continued to observe the vehicle, which has travelled along State Highway 20 and taken the Cavendish Drive offramp.

“Police units closed in as the vehicle came to a stop for traffic lights near Noel Burnside Road, however upon seeing Police the driver has mounted the curb and driven off at speed.”

Hunter said the driver dumped the vehicle and two occupants ran to a nearby address in Wiri where they were both taken into custody.

A 29-year-old man was charged with dangerous driving and will appear in Manukau District Court today.

Just after midnight, a motorbike with "incorrect" number plates was seen speeding through Manurewa.

Hunter said the rider was signalled to stop but didn't.

"Staff initiated a pursuit before quickly abandoning due to the riders dangerous manner of driving," Hunter said.

“Eagle continued to monitor the rider travelling at excessive speed around the wider Counties Manukau area.

“At one point the rider drove onto the wrong side of the road and went the wrong way around a round-about, nearly being hit by an on-coming member of the public.”

He said the driver eventually stopped at an address in Manurewa where he was arrested. Charges are expected to be laid.

This morning, police also arrested four young people in Manurewa.

"A member of the public informed Police their vehicle had been stolen from an address in Sunnyvale.

"Police then witnessed the stolen vehicle heading through New Lynn and towards Manurewa.

"Police spiked the vehicle as the Hill Road offramp and Police quickly took four people, aged 13-16, into custody."

Hunter said all four people have been referred to Youth Aid Services.