A car rammed a police vehicle in central Auckland before fleeing, sparking a helicopter-backed chase that ended in a major mall car park arrest.

Police said shortly after 10am, two people in a vehicle came to the attention of police because of the way their car was being driven near Victor St and Great North Rd.

Inspector Keki Wilson said police signalled for the vehicle to stop, and the driver failed to do so and fled.

Wilson said the car then rammed a police vehicle and continued to flee.

“Thankfully, no police staff were injured, and there was only minor damage to the vehicle,” Wilson said.

The police Eagle helicopter then located and tracked the fleeing vehicle, which was near the St Lukes mall.

Police said the passenger left the vehicle and was taken into custody, and the driver continued to flee in the vehicle and then on foot.

Wilson said a police dog unit was close behind.

A 33-year-old man was then arrested in the St Lukes mall car park.

Inquiries are ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A car rammed a police vehicle in central Auckland before fleeing, sparking a helicopter-backed chase that ended in a major mall car park arrest. Photo / Alex Burton

Police encouraged members of the public to report any unsafe driving this Easter holiday weekend.

“Police are maintaining a high level of visibility on our roads and appreciate any reports that will help us to enforce the law.

“We have a clear focus on reducing road trauma,” Wilson said.

Police at Glenfield Mall, Auckland, after a car was crashed and a person was reportedly seen with a firearm. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

It comes after armed police descended on Glenfield Mall on Auckland’s North Shore and forced shoppers and staff to evacuate yesterday.

A crashed sedan appeared to have been driven into a pole on the fourth floor of the car park, and someone was reportedly spotted with a firearm.

At least four schools were sent into lockdown and were all advised to take special precautions.

Quin, a worker at a Glenfield Mall restaurant, said he saw a lot of police arrive at the mall with “heavy firearms” before it was evacuated.

His friend, who works on the third floor, texted him and said she “saw a guy throw a gun in the trash”.