16- and 17-year-olds among group arrested for liquor store robbery in Pōkeno, Waikato

Five people have been arrested and charged after an aggravated robbery of a liquor store in Pōkeno, Waikato.

A police spokesperson said four masked people entered the liquor store and assaulted two staff members around 7.40pm yesterday.

“The four offenders stole alcohol, cigarettes and the cash till, before leaving in a stolen car.

“Shortly after the robbery, a police unit observed the stolen car heading north on the Southern Motorway near Takanini.

“The police helicopter Eagle was able to monitor the car as it continued north and exited the motorway at Ellerslie/Panmure.”

The car continued until Edmonton Rd, Henderson, where the people abandoned the stolen car, moved the items to a second car, and drove away.

Police units stopped that car a short time later and took the four offenders from the aggravated robbery into custody, as well as the driver of the second car.

Three males aged 16, 17 and 20, and two females aged 17 and 53 have been charged with aggravated robbery.

The staff members at the liquor store suffered minor to moderate injuries and were treated by ambulance staff at the scene.

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