Charges are being considered against a man, arrested over an incident that closed Auckland's Northern Motorway for several hours yesterday

Police are accusing the man of attempting to steal a vehicle from an elderly woman -- and then stole a vehicle from another person -- on Walmer Road in Point Chevalier.

The vehicle ultimately came to a stop in a multi-vehicle crash at Dairy Flat about 3pm.

Police say the offender and another person received moderate injuries, a man was knocked off his motorbike, and several vehicles were damaged.

Inspector Daniel Meade says Police opted not to pursue the vehicle for safety reasons.

The matter is being referred to the IPCA.