A mystery person led police on a midnight chase through Mosgiel and Outram on Wednesday, before the car they were driving crashed near Clarks Junction and they ran off.
Senior Sergeant Steve Aitken, of Dunedin, said a police patrol spotted the car on Gordon Rd in Mosgiel about 11.55pm.
They pursued it after it was recognised as a 2002 red Ford Futura that had been stolen from a Centre Rd property on Boxing Day.
The vehicle initially stopped but, as the officer approached on foot, it sped off towards Outram.
An 18-minute chase, reaching speeds of up to 140kmh, ensued until the driver lost control on a left-hand bend on State Highway 87 about 300m north of the Clarks Junction Hotel.
The car crashed through a fence and stopped in a paddock, about 100m from the road.
When police arrived at the car it was empty and a police dog was unable to track the driver.
Snr Sgt Aitken said police were interested in any sightings of the car since Sunday, or of anyone walking towards Mosgiel from the Clarks Junction area yesterday.
