A 23-year-old man was arrested for dangerous driving after an alert off-duty police officer spotted a car being driven erratically in South Dunedin.
The officer followed the car and on-duty police later arrested the man, on Tuesday night.
Officers stopped the driver in Douglas St and he said he had taken the car from Moreau St, St Kilda, and claimed the keys had been in the vehicle, Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen said.
The man also said he drank two 18 packs of alcohol and smoked some methamphetamine before taking the car.
After initially recording a high breath alcohol reading, he later opted to have a blood test.
The man had been charged with dangerous driving and unlawfully taking the car and other charges were pending.
Senr Sgt Dinnissen warned motorists not to leave keys in their car, given this incident.
A police spokeswoman said police were initially alerted at 7.35pm, and were told that a car was speeding and driving on the incorrect side of the street.
The man was arrested at 8.02pm, the spokeswoman said.
He man is due to appear in the Dunedin District Court on April 27 on the charges.
