Diesel theft sparks police chase, ute spiked and dumped in ditch north of Hamilton

A suspected fuel thief and his partner are in custody after a CCTV alert triggered a rapid police response and pursuit north of Hamilton.

Authorities were called about 8pm on Thursday after a person monitoring security cameras spotted a man and vehicle acting suspiciously at a commercial property. The caller stayed on the line as the man siphoned more than 200 litres of diesel from a tank.

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Units were dispatched immediately and moved in as the offender filled containers on a ute. The driver fled as the patrol cars approached, heading north toward Ngaruawahia.

Road spikes were deployed during the pursuit, shredding the ute’s front tyres. The vehicle continued along Waingaro Road before losing control and coming to a stop in a ditch.

The driver ran away from the scene but was tracked by a police dog and arrested with a minor bite injury. A second person remained in the vehicle and was also taken into custody.

The property had been targeted before, with ongoing inquiries into possible links to other offending across the district.

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A 32-year-old Chartwell man faces charges of burglary, driving while suspended, failing to stop, and dangerous driving.

A 28-year-old Chartwell woman is charged with burglary. Both are due to appear in the Hamilton District Court.

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