What started with a stolen vehicle and a ram raid burglary, ended with police cordons, road spikes and the arrest of three men.

It all started when police were called to a report of a burglary of a shop on Arawa Street, Matamata, at 1.47am.

Using a stolen car, the offenders took clothing and other items, says Senior Sergeant Will Loughrin

'A patrol car was immediately sent to the area and followed the vehicle.

'Co-ordinating a response from the Police Communications Centre, other units were mobilised and sent up cordons and road spikes.”

Will says the offenders' car was successfully spiked at the expressway entrance in Karapiro.

The vehicle then fled on deflated tyres and Police followed under lights and sirens.

'They were finally apprehended on Pope Terrace, Cambridge, and all stolen items were recovered by Police.”

Three men – two aged 20 and one 17 - are in custody on a range of charges, including burglary, unlawful taking of a vehicle, reckless driving and failing to stop.

They are due to appear in Hamilton District Court this morning.