Two Dunedin men face multiple charges after they allegedly went on a stealing spree from cars in recreational car parks between Doctors Point and Moeraki on Tuesday.
Dunedin police say the men could also be linked to more thefts from cars in recreational car parks on the Otago Peninsula and around Dunedin in recent days.
Police stopped the vehicle in which the men were travelling near Shag Point about 11am and arrested the men after the driver, a 45-year-old Dunedin man, allegedly recorded an excess breath-alcohol limit.
When the men were taken to Palmerston, the driver allegedly escaped police custody, stole a Subaru Legacy parked nearby and took off at high speed.
A few minutes later, with police following at a distance, the Subaru, then travelling more slowly, collided with another car at roadworks south of Palmerston.
No-one was injured.
Police arrested the man and he, and his 39-year-old companion, were transported to the Dunedin Central Police Station where they were held in custody.
• Steven Allan Shaw (45) appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday on charges of unlawfully taking a $3000 car, reckless driving and with a breath-alcohol level of 487mcg, escaping custody at Palmerston, and stealing a set of jumper leads at Hampden, on September 8.
He was remanded without plea in custody by consent until today.
Jason Carl Blackler (39) is also charged with stealing a set of jumper leads at Hampden and intentionally damaging a Mitsubishi car at Palmerston on September 8.
He was remanded on bail without plea to September 17.
