From road to field: Teen arrested after high-speed police chase in Ballymena

The BMW car ended up in a field outside Ballymena after a teenage driver attempted to flee from police and evade arrest

A dramatic police pursuit that began on one of Ballymena’s busiest arterial routes ended in a field — and an arrest — after a teenage driver allegedly attempted to flee officers at speed.

Road Policing Interceptors based at Sprucefield attempted to stop and speak to the driver of a silver BMW on Friday, 27 February, in the Cushendall Road area of Ballymena after observing what officers described as a poor standard of driving.

Instead of pulling over, the driver allegedly accelerated away from police, prompting a pursuit.

The chase continued out of the town and into the Newtown-Crommelin area, where the driver lost control of the vehicle. The BMW left the road and came to rest in a field.

Police say the driver then abandoned the vehicle and made off on foot across surrounding fields in an attempt to evade arrest.

A coordinated search operation followed, involving Road Policing Interceptors, Ballymena Local Policing Team officers and colleagues from the Air Support Unit.

The male was located a short time later at a nearby address.

An 18-year-old male was subsequently arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, no insurance and possession of a Class B controlled substance.

He is expected to appear before a local court to answer the charges.