Video shows the moments after three youths crashed an allegedly stolen car into a power pole in Harewood before running from the scene.

A police spokesperson told chrislynchmedia.com police received several reports shortly after 4pm on Friday of a vehicle being driven dangerously on Waimairi Road towards Wentworth Street.

The spokesperson said the car was seen turning onto Lakes Way before crashing into a power pole at the corner of Lakes Way and Lakeside Place a short time later.

Three occupants then fled towards Lake Rua.

Footage sent to chrislynchmedia.com shows a female running from the car before returning moments later to grab a bag and taking off again.

Witness Rey Kumar told chrislynchmedia.com he and his friends were near Outlook Place at about 4.10pm when they heard tyres skidding.

Seconds later, they heard another skid followed by a loud thud.

Kumar said they went outside and saw the crashed car, with three young people running from it.

He said two boys headed towards the Lake Rua area, while the female initially ran from the car before returning to collect the bag.

Kumar and his friends called police and followed the group from a distance before returning to the crash scene to tell a police dog handler which direction they had gone.

The police spokesperson said information provided by a member of the public allowed the dog handler to track the trio.

All three were taken into custody on the western side of Lake Rua.

Kumar said he and his friends later came across a couple walking their dog near the lake who said three young people had approached them.

The police spokesperson said all three were young people and would go through the youth process in relation to the incident.

Kumar said the incident was extraordinary and he was pleased he and his friends had been able to help police locate the group.