A teenager has been arrested after allegedly performing a burnout in front of a police patrol before crashing into a newly-built but unoccupied townhouse in Auckland’s Howick.
Police said the incident began in Highland Park just after midnight, when a police unit observed a Toyota sports car drive into Pakuranga Rd from a service station.
Counties Manukau east area response manager Senior Sergeant Peter Kaveney said the vehicle then performed a “loss of traction in front of the unit and sped off”.
Police attempted to signal the vehicle to stop, but it was driven away “at speed up Angelo Avenue”. Given the manner of driving and speed, it was not pursued. Police checks identified its registration plates did not match.
Kaveney said the patrol carried out inquiries in the area and located the vehicle after it had crashed on Finnerty Ave.
“It has travelled through a fence and a ranch slider door into a newly built and unoccupied townhouse.”
A17-year-old male driver was located unharmed and was arrested.
Kaveney said it was fortunate police did not have to notify the young man’s parents he had been seriously injured in a crash, and no one else got “caught up” in this event”.
“Speed increases the risk of harm to other motorists and members of the community. The simple message is; when police signal you to stop – stop.”
Enforcement action was being confirmed.
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