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Police have been involved in several stolen vehicle incidents in Manawatū in recent days. (File photo)
A teenage driver in a stolen car walked through the school gates before dragging them behind the car while trying to evade officers, according to police.
The incident happened early Saturday morning and in Palmerston North and is part of a larger series of car thefts and police chases, often involving teens and a boy as young as 12.
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Police said the driver did not stop and attempted to evade officers by driving to the grounds of a high school.
Cornered, she backed through the school gates and away, dragging the doors behind.
The 16-year-old driver appeared in court Saturday morning for violating her bond, taking a vehicle illegally, driving dangerously and not stopping.
His 17-year-old passenger appeared in court for violating his bond, possessing instruments for converting cars, and taking illegally.
There have been several car thefts in the Palmerston North and Feilding areas in the past few days, police said.
The crime was “predominantly committed by small groups of young people, aged 12-17 years,” Manawatū area commander Inspector Sarah Stewart said in a statement.
“Girls are often criminals, and their offense is not new.”
In another incident on Thursday, police said a group of teenagers, a 14-year-old girl, two 15-year-old girls and one 16-year-old girl, in a stolen car were chased by police in Manawatū.
At around 1.30 in the morning a stolen Mazda was seen in Bunnythorpe. The driver then left for Palmerston North when he was seen by police.
The vehicle received three punctures before stopping. All four girls were arrested and appeared in juvenile court that day.
A 15-year-old boy was charged with illegally taking a vehicle and failing to stop. The other 15-year-old was accused of illegal taking and breach of bail.
They appeared in court on Friday, while the 16- and 14-year-old girls were referred to Youth Aid for illegally getting into a vehicle.
There were also two other car thefts, seven robbery attempts, and two petrol outlets linked to the group.
Police encouraged vehicle owners to secure their vehicles after the thefts were carried out in recent nights.
There was a growing trend in which teens had been stealing cars, throwing them, stealing other cars nearby, and throwing them too, before fleeing from the police, according to the statement.
“Teens who do robberies similar to this often try multiple vehicles in one night, damaging windows, targeting hood and ignition barrels before successfully stealing one,” Stewart said.
“In the past we have received reports of three or four robberies or robbery attempts per night. These young teens will continue to offend until we catch them.”
“They rarely stop when the police tell them to, and then a fleeing driver event starts.”
This was incredibly dangerous and put criminals, police and the public at risk, Stewart said.
“We need our young people to stop stealing cars, commit crimes, and risk their lives and the lives of those around them.”
Stewart urged anyone to call the police if they see suspicious activity around cars “where there are groups of teenagers or girls.”
