Three men are in custody after a police pursuit that lasted more than an hour in Waikato early this morning.
Police spotted a stolen car in Ngaruawahia shortly after midnight and signalled the driver to stop.
Senior Sergeant Pete Simpson said at one point the vehicle stopped and a man carrying a sawn-off rifle got out.
Officers continued pursuing the vehicle, which reached high speeds on rural roads.
It eventually crashed into a paddock near Te Hou and two other men were found hiding nearby and arrested, Senior Sergeant Pete Simpson said.
Armed police and the police Eagle helicopter joined the high-speed chase, Mr Simpson said.
The car also rammed a police vehicle during the pursuit, which began in Ngaruawahia shortly after midnight.
The driver of the car, a 30-year-old man, has been charged with failing to stop and driving while disqualified.
A 23-year-old man has been charged with unlawfully getting into a stolen vehicle.
A 23-year-old male passenger was also arrested.
Mr Simpson said the three men would appear in the Hamilton District Court today to face a variety of charges.
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