A Police chase involving an 18-tonne front-end loader's landed one person in custody in Wairarapa

Witnesses reported seeing the industrial sized loader cruising the streets of Masterton in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police say the driver failed to stop when signalled, and then smashed through a fence at Masterton Showgrounds.

One person was arrested, while two others fled from the scene.

The loader has since been returned to its owner.