Waikato western area commander Inspector Andrew Mortimore said yesterday’s call gave police a head start.
“By the time the suspect finished filling the drum and a container on his ute, units had closed in, and others waiting on nearby roads.”
The driver took off towards Ngāruawāhia when a police pursuit was initiated and the ute’s front tyres were spiked.
Police said the man drove his ute with “then-rubberless” wheels along Waingaro Rd before he lost control and came to a stop in a ditch.
The driver took off on foot, but a police dog sniffed him out and he was taken into custody and treated for a minor dog bite.
An associate of the man remained in the ute and was arrested.
A 32-year-old Chartwell man has been charged with burglary, driving while suspended, failing to stop, and dangerous driving, alongside a 28-year-old Chartwell woman who has also been charged with burglary.
They were due to appear in Hamilton District Court today.
Inquiries are ongoing into whether there is any link to the area’s wider offending.
“This arrest is a great result. This isn’t the first time this property has been hit and it causes a heap of pain and inconvenience, not to mention expense,” Mortimore said.
“The person watching all this unfold did everything right – they called 111 straight off the bat and provided really helpful information. That gave us a head start, and we got units rolling towards the property.”