Acting Detective Inspector Simon Harrison said it was a great outcome for the community to have the offenders off the streets. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Eight teenagers in connection with recent aggravated robberies at Auckland jewellery stores have been arrested, including a group who were on the run in New Lynn on Monday afternoon.
Police said the offenders were taken into custody after two dramatic pursuits across the city, with one member of the public assaulted and a police vehicle damaged in the process.
Officers first spotted a group of four driving dangerously in a stolen car in Henderson at about 3.15pm, Acting Detective Inspector Simon Harrison said. The group abandoned that car and attempted to steal another before fleeing on foot, he said.
"Cordons were put in place around the area while enquiries were made to locate these offenders."
While they were still at large, the police said a second - connected - group of offenders were then reported to have fled the area in another car. A member of the public had been assaulted in the process, police said.
The police used the Eagle helicopter to track that group to an address in Rānui, where the 18-year-old driver and three passengers - two aged 15, one 19 - were arrested.
The 19-year-old was charged with assault with intent to rob.
Later that evening at 9.30pm, the first group were spotted leaving a Henderson address in a stolen car. Officers tracked the car all the way to Māngere, where the group swapped into a second car.
The police said the vehicle began to slow due to mechanical issues and it was stopped using a patrol car, which sustained minor damage.
The police said the 18-year-old driver, linked to the aggravated robbery at Mānawa Bay on 23 March, now faced additional charges relating to failing to stop.
A 15-year-old passenger was charged with aggravated robberies at Kayson's Fashion Store and Mānawa Bay Michael Hill. The other two occupants, aged 16 and 19, face charges of failing to stop and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.
The police said they would oppose bail when the individuals appear in the Auckland District and Auckland Youth courts on Tuesday.
Harrison said it was a great outcome for the community to have the offenders off the streets.
"It represents a significant amount of work carried out over recent weeks by detectives and frontline staff to identify and target these prolific offenders."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
