Wanted Waihī Man Escapes After Hour-Long Foot Chase in Katikati

A wanted man from Waihī led police on a lengthy chase through Katikati on the night of 18 March after being spotted on Main Road. The pursuit lasted roughly an hour and covered around five kilometres of ground, including a stretch along the Haiku trail, before the man was picked up by a vehicle and managed to escape. Police inquiries to locate him are ongoing.

Sergeant Steve Hindmarsh also reported a series of other incidents in the area during the same period. These included the theft of diesel and oil drums from farm machinery on SH2 at Minden, a flat-pack shed stolen from a Beach Road property in Katikati, and a petrol drive-off from a Whakamārama address.

Several arrests were also made across the district. A 43-year-old Te Aroha woman was arrested on 14 March for property damage in Katikati, while a 39-year-old Waihī man was charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and possession of methamphetamine after being found in a stolen van from Minden. A 48-year-old man of no fixed abode was later arrested at a Te Puna address and charged with receiving a stolen Toyota vehicle. Police are reminding the public to report suspicious activity — call 111 if something is happening now, or 105 after the event.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).