"Man in custody following Ashburton incidents overnight"

A 42-year-old man is in custody following a series of incidents in Ashburton and Christchurch this morning.

About 4.30am today, a stolen vehicle pulled onto the forecourt of a service station in Ashburton.

An occupant of the vehicle broke into the service station and took a number of items.

The stolen vehicle then travelled south toward Hinds.

A security guard’s vehicle was rammed by the stolen vehicle after an attempt to follow it.

The stolen vehicle then headed to Mayfield, where a Police patrol disrupted the offender attempting to commit a second burglary.

The Police patrol car was also rammed, causing significant damage.

The stolen vehicle was found alight in the Mt Somers area.

The man was later seen again in a second stolen vehicle near Christchurch airport, where it avoided Police spikes.

Police followed the vehicle for a short time however abandoned it due to the manner of the driving, and it was later found alight in Bryndwr.

A third vehicle was later pulled over by Police on Gloucester St, and one man was taken into custody on other matters. He is also assisting Police with their enquiries into these matters.

There were no injuries during any of these incidents.

Enquiries into these incidents are ongoing.

ENDS

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