Police have arrested a 32-year-old Nelson man after a dramatic manhunt and two aborted car chases across Canterbury.
Just after midday near Waikari, north of Christchurch, police attempted to stop a vehicle the man was thought to be travelling in but the driver failed to stop.
Police began a pursuit, though it was later abandoned for safety reasons.
Police say later in the afternoon, the vehicle drove off after the driver failed to pay for petrol in the Christchurch suburb of Parklands.
Police tried unsuccessfully to stop the car again with a second chase initiated which was later called off for safety reasons.
At about 2.45pm, police were tipped off that the man was at a property in rural Ashburton.
The Armed Offenders Squad was called in but the man left the address before they arrived.
The driver failed to stop again and police began another chase.
This time, the vehicle came to a stop in Tinwald, Ashburton, and the driver was arrested.
"This behaviour is reckless, dangerous and the man involved put the lives of innocent members of our community in danger as well as our staff," Senior Sergeant Phillip Dean said.
The 32-year-old man has been taken to Christchurch Police Station for interviews.
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