Jag hits 150kmh in chase

A man driving a luxury Jaguar car led police on a chase southeast of Hamilton yesterday which saw the car reach speeds of up to 150kmh.

The Jag was later discovered at Marychurch Rd near Cambridge, and the driver – a 29-year-old Auckland man – was arrested and charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and failing to stop.

The chase began when a Hamilton police officer tried to carry out a routine vehicle stop on the vehicle on Grey St in Hamilton East about 1pm yesterday.

The Jaguar driver quickly did a U-turn, and began travelling at high speeds through Hamilton East and Hillcrest and on to State Highway 1 toward Cambridge.

Police abandoned the pursuit as the vehicle reached speeds of up to 150kmh.

They later tracked down the car – which records show is owned by Birkenhead resident Karen De Lacy – and its four occupants hiding at a Marychurch Rd property.

Sergeant Phil Ruddell of the Hamilton Strategic Traffic Unit said the driving was erratic, and included travelling in the wrong lane.

Two of the vehicle's passengers were spoken to by police and let go, while a third passenger, who is wanted by police on other charges, remained at large.

The driver will appear in the Hamilton District Court today.

- © Fairfax NZ News