Three youths are due in Christchurch Youth Court after ramming a police car in a stolen vehicle in the city’s north yesterday evening.

Police spotted the vehicle near Bealey Avenue about 5.55pm and tracked it through CCTV and patrol sightings before attempting to stop it in Tulloch Place in Papanui.

The driver rammed a police car during the stop, causing minor damage, before fleeing.

The vehicle was later found abandoned in Dunedin Street in Redwood, and a police dog unit located the three offenders nearby.

Senior Sergeant Stephen McDaniel said the three youths are scheduled to appear in Christchurch Youth Court on 26 May.