Two cars that sped off from police during roadside drug and alcohol testing in separate incidents in Alice Springs have been seized by police under anti-hooning laws.

Police said they are still searching for the owner of one of the Holden Commodores that failed to stop for officers during a roadside testing operation on August 21 on Fogarty Street and instead performed a burn-out while driving off.

“The vehicle was located the following day and was seized for 48 hours under anti-hooning legislation,” said Acting Senior Sergeant Conan Robertson.

“Enquiries to locate the driver of the vehicle are continuing.”

In a separate incident the next day, police said the 32-year-old driver of the Holden Commodore ute had returned a positive drug test and was advised he was under arrest for secondary testing.

Instead, the driver performed a burn-out and drove off at high speed, police said. The driver was successfully arrested an hour later and charged with escaping custody, driving a vehicle in a dangerous manner, failing to supply a saliva sample and “drive cause loss of traction/damage to road surface”.

He was bailed to appear in court at an undisclosed date.

“Police would like to remind people that driving on our roads is a privilege and a responsibility,” said Snr Sgt Robertson.

“We will continue to target people who put other road users at risk and are not driving responsibly. Police will be out and about conducting random alcohol and drug testing and targeting anti-social driving practices and other traffic offences.”