The collision occurred after police tried to stop a car being driven by a 17-year-old Dunedin youth for a traffic offence on Mooltan St, Halfway Bush, about 8.30pm, Senior Sergeant Craig Brown said.
The youth allegedly refused to stop and instead led police on a chase down Taieri Rd and Stuart St, through the Octagon and on to Princes St, before colliding with a police car, Snr Sgt Brown said.
The police patrol car had been approaching the pursued vehicle from the south on Princes St, and had pulled up on a 45-degree angle to block the street, when the collision occurred, Senior Sergeant Bruce Ross said.
The driver had slowed and tried to go around the police car and through a gap between parked cars, "but there wasn't enough room", Snr Sgt Ross said.
The impact caused significant frontal damage to the police car, but both officers inside the vehicle were unhurt, he said.
The officers approached the youth's vehicle and attempted to grab his car keys from the ignition and "one [officer] actually put his hands in to get the keys off, but then he [the youth] took off," Snr Sgt Ross said.
The chase continued for a short distance down Princes St until the driver lost control while trying to turn into Lees St, near the Oval.
The youth was unhurt, but would appear in the Dunedin District Court later this week facing charges of reckless driving, failing to stop for police and drink-driving, after allegedly recording a breath-alcohol level of 670mcg, Snr Sgt Brown said.
A Dunedin man allegedly involved in three separate assaults in the Octagon within minutes of each other - including one scuffle with two police officers - will appear in the Dunedin District Court today.
Police were called to the Octagon about 3.45am yesterday after reports a bottle was used as a weapon during a fight involving a 34-year-old, Senior Sergeant Craig Brown said yesterday.
An intoxicated Christchurch man who became separated from his friends was arrested after smashing a window while trying to gain entry to the wrong home in Dunedin early yesterday, police say.
The 20-year-old had tried to return alone to a Bay View Rd, Dunedin, home, but broke a window at the wrong house after being unable to unlock the door, Snr Sgt Brown said.
The man would appear in the Dunedin District Court later this week, charged with intentional damage.
