A Dunedin driver made a double getaway bid to avoid a drink-drive checkpoint at a popular beachside spot — and failed twice.
Police set up the checkpoint in Forbury Rd and just after midnight on Saturday noticed a motorist speeding away to avoid being breathalysed, Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said.
Officers tracked him to the Esplanade at St Clair and tried to pull the 42-year-old driver over.
When he fled, they set up road spikes, which punctured all four of the vehicle’s tyres.
Snr Sgt Bond said the man ditched the car in Fitzroy St but was still reluctant to give himself up.
He made a run for it but was caught by police, and later refused to undergo drink-driving procedures.
The man was charged with refusing to provide a blood specimen and failing to stop.
His vehicle was impounded for six months.
■A sweet-toothed man will appear in court after a late-night chocolate grab.
The 32-year-old man entered Night 'n Day in the Octagon at 1am on Sunday as security staff watched.
Snr Sgt Bond said the man was spotted "filling his pockets" with chocolate bars before heading to the counter to buy other items.
When he was confronted, he denied shoplifting and allegedly shoved a staff member with his elbow.
Police attended and the man was charged with theft and assault, Snr Sgt Bond said.
■A hospital security guard was attacked by an abusive man wielding an unusual choice of weapon, police say.
There was a ruckus at Dunedin Hospital at 2.45am yesterday when a 31-year-old man arrived at the emergency department and began abusing staff "for no reason", Snr Sgt Bond said.
He was escorted off the premises by security but continued the verbal tirade.
After being ejected, the man used one of his shoes to strike a security staff member in the head, Snr Sgt Bond said.
He was charged with assault and using threatening language, and will appear in court this week.
■A teen driver swerved to avoid a campervan on the wrong side of the road and flipped their car, police say.
Snr Sgt Bond said a 17-year-old was driving in Highcliff Rd on Friday afternoon when he was confronted by a campervan heading towards him in the wrong lane.
He swerved to avoid it, crashed through a stone barrier and the car came to a stop upside down.
The teenager did not need medical treatment, Snr Sgt Bond said.
Police were working to identify the driver of the campervan.
