By RNZ
Five teenagers have been arrested after break-ins at two Whangārei service stations early on Tuesday.
The first took place on Tarewa Rd at 6am, followed by another break-in on Kiripaka Rd a short time later.
Detective Sergeant Ryan Cooper, of the Whangārei CIB, said cash, cigarettes and vapes were taken, with the offenders fleeing in two cars.
The cars were quickly found abandoned in Aratiatia Place and Rerewai Place, and towed for forensic examination.
A police investigation led to a house on Pebble Beach Boulevard where two people were taken into custody without incident and some property was recovered.
Cooper said CCTV helped police identify another car, which was stopped nearby, resulting in the arrest of three more people.
More stolen goods and cash was found during a search of that car.
Cooper hoped the Tikipunga and wider Whangārei communities felt reassured by the arrests.
“This was a quick response by our teams, ensuring our community knows we are dedicated to holding offenders to account for these crimes,” he said.
The five teenagers, aged 15 and 16, will appear in the Whangārei Youth Court charged with unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle, attempted burglary and aggravated robbery.
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Bocky Boo Gelato opened in Whangārei in 2019 and quickly became a local favourite.