A routine traffic stop in Oamaru escalated when a 14-year-old allegedly assaulted a police officer while his 19-year-old companion fled in handcuffs.
Sergeant Craig Sew Hoy said police tried to stop a vehicle on Thames Highway at 8.25pm on Tuesday.
It turned into Don St, stopped and the occupants ran from the vehicle.
A 19-year-old Oamaru man was arrested after he allegedly failed to give his details to police.
After he was placed in a police car, the 14-year-old youth allegedly starting kicking the vehicle and assaulted the police officer.
A member of the public came to the officer's aid.
Meanwhile, the 19-year-old ran from the scene handcuffed. He was found later nearby.
Both were arrested.
The 19-year-old will appear in the Oamaru District Court on November 18 charged with failing to give his details to police.
The 14-year-old, charged with assaulting a police officer and unlawfully interfering with a vehicle, will appear in Youth Court in Oamaru on the same date.
About two hours later, the person who came to the officer's assistance was assaulted on Thames Highway, near Don St.
Police are working with witnesses of both events, but are appealing for anyone else who witnessed either event to come forward.
"Police want to know who that attacker was," Sergeant Tony Woodbridge said.
