Whangārei police arrest five people for overnight commercial burglaries

Five people were arrested after two commercial burglaries in Maungakaramea and Whakapara overnight. Photo / NZME

Whangārei police have arrested five people after two commercial burglaries this week.

The first burglary was reported shortly before midnight on Wednesday, in Maungakaramea.

Police identified a vehicle used in the burglary as stolen. Inquiries into find it are ongoing, Acting Inspector Mohammed Atiq, Acting Whangarei Kaipara Area Commander, said.

Around 12.45am, a second burglary was reported on SH1, Whakapara.

Atiq said police understood five offenders broke into the building with a weapon. They fled after a fog cannon was used, but their vehicle's registration was captured on CCTV.

The vehicle was found abandoned on Waro Dr, Hikurangi, and police were then told a second vehicle was involved in the burglary.

The second vehicle was found in Meldrum St, Kamo, and a police dog unit tracked the offenders from there to a house on Charles St, where police recovered stolen goods.

Cannabis and drug paraphernalia were also allegedly found at the address.

A 26-year-old man and four youths were then arrested "without further incident", Atiq said.

The 26-year-old was due to appear in the Whangārei District Court today, facing multiple charges relating to burglary and theft.

Four others were referred to Youth Aid.