Five teen boys charged over alleged aggravated robbery of Westshore dairy for vapes

Police searched a Napier address after the Westshore Corner Store was the subject of an alleged robbery. Photo / Google Street View

Five teenage boys, none older than 17, have been charged over what police say was an alleged aggravated robbery of a corner store in Westshore late on Monday.

The robbery, which targeted vapes, happened about 4.40pm at the Westshore Corner Store, one of about six shops and business premises in a shopping centre in Charles St.

On Monday, as well as vapes, a cabinet was removed from behind the counter, police said.

It was one of at least three aggravated robberies reported in Napier in the past three weeks.

No arrests have been reported by police after the early-morning January 28 robbery of the Z Mataruahou service station.

However, two teenagers have been charged after a raid at a central city jewellery store mid-afternoon on February 3.

In the latest, three people are alleged to have entered a shop at the corner of Charles and Alfred streets, about 4.40pm on Monday and stole a number of items before fleeing in a vehicle with two others, police said on Wednesday morning.

All took steps to conceal their identities, police said, but the getaway vehicle was found abandoned on Alexander Ave in Onekawa South.

Acting Hawke’s Bay Area investigations manager, Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Karli Whiu, said that following inquiries, including information from members of the public, five alleged offenders were located.

On Tuesday evening, police searched a Napier address, taking four accused into custody, and found evidence connected to an aggravated robbery, including clothing.

The fifth alleged offender was located and taken into custody shortly after.

“I would like to thank all staff involved for their great collective work in bringing this to a quick resolution,” Whiu said.

With at least three aggravated robbery inquiries starting in Napier in less than three weeks, he said: “Much like the community, police have no tolerance for this type of offending, and we will continue to work hard to hold offenders to account”.

The youths were due to appear in Napier Youth Court on Wednesday.