Three teenagers have been arrested after allegedly stealing a number of vehicles across Canterbury.
A 16-year-old and two 14-year-olds were arrested on Thursday morning after police received several tip-offs from the public.
A Mazda hatchback had been stolen in Christchurch overnight and driven more than 100km north to Cheviot. There, another car was broken into - although not taken.
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The hatchback was then driven more than 40km to Waiau, where it was abandoned. A second Mazda was then stolen and driven some 47km to Hanmer Springs, where it was dumped. A Nissan was also stolen but abandoned soon after.
Just before 8am on Thursday, the three teenagers were spotted stealing a Toyota station wagon and driving it south toward Culverden.
Police located the station wagon and pursued the teens south until they fled at speed in an attempt at a getaway.
Staff from Rural Police, Highway Patrol, Waimakariri, the commercial vehicle safety team and dog units set up cordons and followed the station wagon. The stolen vehicle was eventually forced to a halt on Ram Paddock Rd near Amberley thanks to the deployment of road spikes.
Two of the teenagers were apprehended at the scene, but the driver ran from officers and fled across nearby farmland. Police dogs tracked the fleeing youngster for more than an hour, eventually finding him hiding in a tree on a property off Mound Rd.
Police have thanked the public for helping them to locate the stolen vehicles.
"It was great teamwork by police and the public to target and catch the offenders, and shows the value of everyone working together to keep our communities safe," says Sergeant Rob Irvine.
The three teenagers will appear in the Christchurch Youth Court.
Newshub.
