A 31-year-old man has been charged after an Auckland car theft involving a vehicle containing a border collie, which the suspect drove at “dangerously high speeds” across multiple suburbs.
Police were called to Lincoln St in Ponsonby around 1 p.m. today after a dog walker’s vehicle, with a dog named Otis inside, was stolen.
Auckland City East Area response manager Senior Sergeant Tony Ngau Chun said the vehicle was initially observed traveling in Onehunga. Although police deployed spikes, the driver increased his speed and continued northbound, overtaking other vehicles.
The vehicle was eventually tracked to Mt Wellington. Officers signaled for the driver to stop, but he failed to comply; police subsequently chose not to pursue the vehicle.
Members of the public who witnessed the dangerous driving provided police with information regarding the vehicle’s direction. The car was later found at a nearby property, where police established a cordon and located the suspect.
“Despite an outfit change, the man was confirmed to be the driver, and he was arrested,” Ngau Chun said.
Charges Following Auckland Car Theft
The 31-year-old man was charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, driving a motor vehicle in a dangerous manner, failing to stop, and driving while disqualified. He is scheduled to appear in Auckland District Court today.
Otis the border collie was found safe and well and was reunited with the dog walker.
“The driver put himself and the public at serious risk with his driving, and it was incredibly fortunate this did not end in tragedy,” Ngau Chun said.
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