Dramatic car chase on Gold Coast ends with young driver arrested

A teenage boy was allegedly armed with a knife when he bolted from the scene of a crash in Southport today.

The 19-year-old male was allegedly driving unlicensed and uninsured in an unregistered red sedan when he rammed into another car on Minnie Street just after 11am.

The teenager then allegedly fled the scene, running for around 500m before jumping in a taxi.

Police pursued the taxi before the man was arrested by police on Slatyer Avenue.

Officers seized the knife and shopping bags filled with items believed to have been stolen.

Earlier today, 9NEWS Gold Coast reporter Hayley Webb tweeted a picture of the weary runaway, who fell asleep in a patrol car.

Police say the car he had been travelling in has been linked to a series of alleged break and enters across the Gold Coast.