At about 1:30pm yesterday two male offenders, one armed with a pistol, entered the Hillside Superette in Papatoetoe. They demanded cigarettes while pointing the pistol at a shopkeeper. Police were called and while responding to the incident, the Redhill Superette in Papakura was held up by two male offenders, one armed with a pistol.
In both instances the offenders were seen leaving the scene in a black Mazda vehicle and fleeing at speed.
Several police units, including the dog unit, uniformed officers and plain clothed CIB staff, responded immediately. The Police dog unit sighted the black Mazda on Mill Road in Papakura, and initiated a pursuit.
The fleeing vehicle attempted to lose the pursuing dog unit by travelling down some side streets in Manurewa. It then travelled along Hill Road where road spikes had been deployed by an awaiting police unit.
The vehicle came to a brief stop and three occupants got out and ran onto nearby properties. The vehicle then continued towards Manurewa where it turned into a service lane behind the Manurewa shops and came to a halt. The driver and a passenger then ran from the vehicle.
The dog unit pursued the fleeing occupants and one was apprehended in a nearby stationary shop after assistance from the public.
Police cordons were put in place, utilising both uniformed and plain clothed staff, and a further three offenders were apprehended.
The four young males, all aged between 13 and 17, were interviewed by Police last night and two 13 year-old males were later released into their parents' care and referred to Youth Aid.
Two males, aged 15 and 17, were arrested and remanded in custody. They will appear in the Manukau District Youth Court today charged with aggravated robbery.
Police have recovered the firearm believed to have been used in both robberies and a significant amount of cigarettes. They are following up positive leads on a further two young male offenders believed to have been involved in yesterday's robberies.
ENDS
Issued by Natalie Swart
Communications Manager
Counties Manukau Police
Ph 027 434 2218