Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Callum McNeill, Waitemata Police
Waitemata Police have arrested six people following a series of serious incidents that occurred during the early hours of yesterday morning.
The group of six allegedly stole two vehicles from New Lynn late on Wednesday night.
At around 2.30am yesterday, one of the stolen cars was used in a ram raid at a commercial property nearby, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to the property. A number of electronic items were also stolen from the store. The car was then ditched.
The group then drove to Milford in the second stolen vehicle, before a third was allegedly taken and used in a ram raid on Hurstmere Road, in Takapuna, around 3.50am.
All six offenders entered the store and a large amount of electronics were stolen, before the alleged offenders drove off in the two stolen cars.
Police, who were already in the area conducting patrols, were quickly on the scene and pursued both vehicles, stopping one of them. Three occupants fled on foot but were located with the assistance of the Police Dog Section and apprehended.
The second stolen car was pursued and also tracked with the assistance of the Police Eagle helicopter.
During this time, the fleeing driver allegedly attempted to run down two Police officers before driving the wrong way down State Highway 1 near Constellation Drive.
The fleeing driver continued in the wrong direction along State Highway 18, putting the safety of other motorists, as well as Police staff, in significant danger.
The vehicle was eventually spiked and the three occupants were arrested.
Six people aged between 15 and 17 were arrested and appeared in the North Shore Youth Court yesterday afternoon on a number of charges.
As the matter is now before the courts Police are not in a position to comment further.
ENDS
Adriana Weber/NZ Police