Police say five young people will face the justice system after the alleged burglary of a store in Maraetai.
Officers were notified at about 5.33am today, November 30, that a commercial address on Maraetai School Road had been burgled.
A member of the public who witnessed the incident reported a group of offenders had fled the scene in a vehicle, telling police they saw it heading south, toward Whitford.
Inspector Rod Honan, Counties Manukau East Police area commander, says police were able to track the vehicle, which was confirmed to have been stolen.
“At this time, the police Eagle helicopter was able to observe the stolen vehicle from long range, as it was driven westwards across Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) through Otara, and onto the Southwestern Motorway.
“The vehicle has exited the motorway at Massey Road in Māngere, and eventually stopped at Forbury Place, where Eagle observed five people exiting the vehicle carrying items.”
Police staff in the area were quickly on the scene and arrested all five alleged offenders, including two from an address on Forbury Place, Honan says.
“Unfortunately, one of the people arrested has violently kicked out at our police staff and made threatening remarks towards them.
“Thankfully, none of our officers were injured.”
The youngest of the five alleged offenders arrested was aged 16 and the oldest was 18.
Honan says police recovered cash and tobacco products from the burglary and are considering charges.
“This was great work this morning by police staff from across different areas of Tāmaki Makaurau, all working together to hold offenders to account.
“These results should reassure the community we have absolutely no tolerance for this type of offending.”
