Two men driving around Kawerau on a quad bike while wearing balaclavas are due to appear before Whakatāne District Court after being arrested this week.

A patrolling police officer saw the men acting suspiciously at about 3pm on Monday.

Whakatāne Senior Sergeant James Renwick said the pair decamped into the forest after seeing police.

Cordons were set up by police.

“The quad came out of the forest and rolled as it tried to flee.”

One of the men was apprehended at that point while the other fled. He was later located by a dog handler in the boot of a car trying to leave the area.

“Both males had warrants for their arrest and are due to appear in Whakatāne District Court on charges of failing to stop for police and providing false details.”