A spate of break-ins at homes and businesses around Kerikeri has been halted by the arrest of three teenage boys, police say.
The youths, aged 15 and 16, were allegedly involved in two burglaries on Inlet Rd and a series of break-ins last week, including at Kerikeri High School tuckshop, Kerikeri Dairy, a lunchbar on Mill Lane, the Chinese takeaways on Cobham Rd and Calypso takeaways on Kerikeri Rd. Many took place on June 12-13.
The spree started to unravel at 12.20am on Thursday, when staff at McDonald's alerted police to a youth smashing the door at Island Style surf shop. He was captured clearly on CCTV.
Later that day a 16-year-old who tried to steal an $80 T-shirt from High Voltage surf shop was quizzed by police in relation to a series of burglaries after allegedly stolen computer tablets and chocolate bars were found in his bag. He was referred to mental health services.
On Saturday police recognised a wanted 15-year-old boy walking on Kerikeri Rd. He was also found to be carrying items, including a laptop, allegedly taken in burglaries.
He was charged in relation to three of the burglaries as well as theft from a car and two charges each of shoplifting and unlawfully getting into a vehicle. Enquiries are continuing into his involvement in two other burglaries.
He was held in police custody over the weekend and was expected to be placed in CYF care following an appearance in Kaikohe District Court.
His 15-year-old associate will be dealt with in Youth Court on July 2 on four burglary charges.