A police patrol car that was stolen during a traffic stop in Whangamata last night has been recovered. The car was taken about 11.30pm when an officer was conducting a traffic stop for speeding. A passenger of the vehicle which was stopped took the officer's car and fled as far as Opoutere, where it was found about 3am. "The taking of a Police vehicle is a serious offence, and police are following lines of enquiry to locate the offender," a statement said. The firearms the vehicle carried were not accessed.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 25, 2016 19:58 UTC