Police officer injured after patrol car rammed in Whangaparāoa

A 33-year-old man has been charged after allegedly ramming a police vehicle twice in Whangaparāoa early yesterday, leaving an officer injured.

A white ute first came to police attention at 4.30am on Wednesday, August 19, after it was seen travelling at excessive speed along Whangaparāoa Road in Manly.

Waitematā North area response manager Senior Sergeant Carl Fowlie said the vehicle allegedly reached speeds of up to 100kmph in a 50kmph zone.

“A patrol unit signalled for the vehicle to stop but the driver ignored instructions. The driver then conducted a U-turn and rammed the patrol car before fleeing,” Fowlie said.

Police followed the ute towards Gulf Harbour, where the driver turned around and collided head-on with the patrol vehicle, leaving it significantly damaged.

The officer was moderately injured in the collision and taken to hospital for assessment.

The man then abandoned the ute on Tiri Road and fled on foot, with the Police Eagle helicopter tracking him as he climbed over fences and discarded items from a satchel before abandoning the bag.

He tried unsuccessfully to flag down passing vehicles before being apprehended by police.

Officers retraced the man’s steps and located the satchel and other discarded items, including methamphetamine, scales, and thousands of dollars in cash.

“This was an incredibly dangerous act which could have resulted in serious harm to the officer who was doing their job,” Fowlie said.

“Police have zero tolerance for reckless behaviour on our roads or towards our staff, and we will hold these offenders to account.

A 33-year-old man has been charged with reckless driving, aggravated failing to stop, injures with intent to injure – first responder, failed to stop and ascertain injury after crash, and possessing methamphetamine.