Most kids' after school activities revolve around sports, music, art or homework but yesterday at about 3.40pm two teenaged boys, the youngest being 13, decided to take a stolen Mazda Premacy for a spin around Glen Innes.
When signalled to stop by Police, the 13 year-old driver chose to flee and later dump the car in Concorde Place. Police overhead in Eagle directed ground staff and arrested the teenagers who are now being dealt with through Youth Aid.
Eastern Area Commander Inspector Vaughn Graham says the Glen Innes pursuit was one of three in the Auckland City District between 3pm on Monday and 2am today where Police were challenged by offenders in stolen cars.
"Our staff are focused on many fronts - mobile and overhead patrols, directed patrols to known hot-spots, CCTV monitoring and intelligence gathering - to prevent crimes from happening or detect offenders quickly after incidents.
"Two men in their 30s were arrested near Auckland Central Station shortly before 2am after fleeing from our officers in a stolen Nissan Primera.
"What's even more concerning is the number of children behind the wheels of stolen cars over the past few months who are challenging Police at dangerous speeds. Unless they change their ways, it's only a matter of time before they maim or kill themselves or other legitimate, licensed road users."
At about the same time the central city pursuit was underway, five young people aged 15 and 16 also decided to ignore Police requests for them to stop while driving around Mt Roskill at 1.40 this morning.
"The stolen Nissan Cefiro they were in crashed into a power pole and, thankfully, they were not seriously injured. They were all arrested and will face charges as a result of their early morning activities," Mr Graham said.
"I urge all parents and caregivers to take responsibility for their children and ensure they are safe at home. We don't want to be knocking on doors late at night delivering sad news to these or anyone else's families."
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz