Counties Manukau Police have swooped on a teenager who’s allegedly responsible for a string of burglaries across the district.
Officers had been investigating more than 20 burglaries in the area from October through to earlier this month.
Counties Manukau East Police criminal investigation branch area investigations manager, acting detective senior sergeant Tim Martin, says the offender had mainly targeted restaurants and food retail businesses across the Botany, Flat Bush, East Tāmaki, Manukau and Papatoetoe areas.
“Police executed a search warrant at an Ōtara address yesterday morning and subsequently arrested a 16-year-old who we believe is linked to 20 burglaries across Counties Manukau,” he says.
“This is a culmination of great investigative work by police staff from across different areas, all working together to hold this offender to account.
“This result should reassure the community that we have absolutely no tolerance for this type of offending.
“Police would also like to thank members of the public for information provided following a media release a couple of weeks ago, which has assisted in us in this apprehension.
“It is yet another example of if you see something, say something.
“We need the public to report any suspicious activity so we can conduct enquiries and hold offenders to account.
“If you see suspicious behaviour and it is happening now please contact police on 111 or if it is after the fact, contact police on 105 or online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105.”
The 16-year-old will reappear in Manukau Youth Court at a later date charged with 20 counts of burglary.
