Dramatic footage has emerged of one of two aborted police chases in Canterbury yesterday during a man hunt that ended with the arrest of a Nelson man in Ashburton.
Just after midday near Waikari, north of Christchurch, police attempted to stop a vehicle allegedly being driven by Andrew David Hunter, 32, but the driver failed to stop.
Police began a pursuit, though it was later abandoned for safety reasons.
Later in the afternoon, Hunter allegedly failed to pay for petrol in the Christchurch suburb of Parklands.
Police tried unsuccessfully to stop Hunter again with a second chase initiated which was later called off for safety reasons.
Gene Loader witnessed part of the chase as he was driving from Hornby in Christchurch to Rolleston.
He was travelling around 80km/h when a Subaru undertook him. Mr Loader told Stuff that he had "never seen anyone undertake at such speed."
"As you can see in the (dashcam) video he was moving quickly."
At about 2.45pm, police were tipped off that Hunter was at a property in rural Ashburton.
The Armed Offenders Squad was called in but the 32-year-old left the address before they arrived.
Hunter failed to stop again and police began another chase.
This time, the vehicle came to a stop in Tinwald, Ashburton, and Hunter was arrested.
He appeared in the Christchurch District Court today.
Hunter was charged with dangerous driving in Ashburton and in North Canterbury following the two pursuits.
He also faced two charges of failing to stop for police cars flashing lights, possession of a Taser, and stealing $52 petrol from BP station at Parklands, Christchurch.
He was wanted in Nelson for seven charges, including assault and unlawfully possessing firearms.
The 32-year-old was remanded in custody for an appearance by video on May 25 when he is expected to enter pleas to the charges.
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