A man has been arrested after allegedly attempting to flee police on the Southern Motorway near Drury this afternoon – on foot.
Around 4pm on Monday, police said they were called following a report of a black Audi vehicle driving erratically on State Highway 2 near Mangatāwhiri.
Inspector Peter Raynes said Highway Patrol officers spotted the Audi travelling north on SH1 near Bombay.
“The driver failed to stop for police and has made contact with one of the patrol vehicles, but hasn’t caused any extensive damage,” Raynes said.
The vehicle was spiked and three of its tyres were deflated.
Police continued to monitor the vehicle travelling north at slow speed on SH1.
"In order to keep other northbound motorists safe, a unit was carrying out a rolling block of traffic to maintain a safe distance," Raynes said.
The police Eagle helicopter was deployed overhead and "continued to monitor the driver’s erratic behaviour, speeding up and slowing down, and driving across both lanes".
The driver eventually stopped the vehicle and fled on foot, Raynes said, crossing to the other side of the Southern Motorway.
He was arrested on the roadside following a short pursuit on southbound lanes.
The man was now in police custody and charges were to be confirmed.
Police thanked motorists for their cooperation with the disruption to their travel this afternoon.
"Further enquiries are to be made but given the driver’s behaviour police suspect impairment may be a factor, and I applaud the member of the public for reporting the poor driving behaviour," Raynes said.
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