3 Feb 2017

Teen arrested after forklift rampage on Queen Street

11:22 am on 3 February 2017

A 17-year-old who stole a forklift from a central Auckland construction site overnight and took it up Queen Street tried to run over police officers chasing him on foot.

Police apprehend the forklift and its driver on Queen Street.

Police apprehend the forklift and its driver on Queen Street. Photo: Supplied / Strahan Pennington

Police said the teenager took the forklift from a construction yard shortly before 1am, and drove it the wrong way down Darby Street and onto Queen Street.

He was then spotted by police and failed to stop when directed.

When officers gave chase on foot, the teenager swerved in an effort to hit the officers, who had to jump out of the way.

The teenager was stopped when the two chasing officers jumped into the cab of the forklift and "removed him", police said.

A third officer then stopped the forklift before it ran into a parked car.

The teenager has been arrested and charged with burglary, unlawful taking, dangerous driving and two charges of aggravated assault.

He will appear in the Auckland District Court this morning.