Police Taser Gun. Photo by ODT.
Police were called to the intersection of Wentworth and Oxford Sts, Gore, just after 7pm following a report two males were attempting to break into a car.
Senior Sergeant Brian Benn, of Dunedin, said when police arrived they located three males. However, one fled.
An officer chased and caught the man and ''during a tussle the police officer discharged his taser in close contact''.
He confirmed the taser was not effective, and the man was able to again flee police.
A search, which included a police dog, failed to locate the man late last night.
Police named the man as Shayde Palmer-King (25), who is in breach of his court bail conditions.