24 Jan 2019

Youths arrested after stolen car in Wellington motorway chase

8:55 pm on 24 January 2019

A stolen car driven by two youths has crashed close to railway lines in Wellington after a chase this evening.

The car which came off the road onto the railway tracks.

The car which came off the road onto the railway tracks. Photo: RNZ / Jeremy Wilkinson

Police said two youths - described as being in their late teens - stole a Mazda Demio and were spotted driving recklessly in Porirua this evening.

They said officers chased the car from Porirua onto the motorway near Johnsonville about 8pm.

The car then ended up on the Old Hutt Road in Kaiwharawhara, knocking a streetlight to the ground before crashing through a wooden fence and stopping next to railway lines.

However, there was no risk to train services.

An RNZ producer near the scene, Jeremy Wilkinson, said he witnessed six police cars and about ten officers at the crash scene, including a police dog.

Police said two youths were in custody and would likely be charged with dangerous driving and stealing a vehicle.