Auckland crime: Eight teenagers, including 13-year-old, arrested after overnight burglaries

Eight teenagers have been arrested after a number of Auckland businesses were targeted in smash-and-grab style burglaries overnight.

The youngest person taken into custody in the early hours of this morning was a 13-year-old among a group of five teenagers who allegedly smashed their way into two businesses in Pukekohe, South Auckland, early today.

The eldest in that group is 16 years old.

Police were called to a shopping complex on King St after reports of a burglary at the Michael Hill jewellery store and Vodafone shop shortly before 3am.

The group also tried to smash their way into a neighbouring Stirling Sports store, but were unsuccessful.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Paea, of Counties Manukau Police, said the group used a stolen vehicle from King St to flee the scene.

“Police were called and responded to the area. As staff were arriving, another vehicle was seen leaving the area at speed,” he said.

The Police Eagle helicopter was called in to monitor the vehicle, which was being driven in a reckless manner.

“Eagle has observed the car fail to take a corner, crashing into a tree on Paparata Road.”

Emergency crews treated all of the youths at the scene. However, it it not yet known how seriously they were injured.

The Vodafone store on King St, Pukekohe, was targeted by thieves overnight. Photo / Hayden Woodward

The Michael Hill jewellery shop on King St, Pukekohe, was hit by thieves overnight. Photo / Hayden Woodward

The Herald understands all three stores targeted in Pukekohe have been hit by thieves before - with the Michael Hill jewellery store hit by thieves at least four times now.

In September, it was reported that that particular jewellery store had been broken into for the third time this year.

A witness described seeing various jewellery items scattered outside the Michael Hill store and display phones appeared to be missing from the Vodafone shop.

Police and emergency services at the scene of a crash after a number of smash and grab incidents in Pukekohe. Photo / Hayden Woodward

In a second incident, authorities received reports of a vehicle attempting to force entry into a dairy on Carruth Rd in Papatoetoe, South Auckland.

“The offenders failed to breach the roller door and have then proceeded to try their hand at smashing their way into the store.”

They were unsuccessful again, however, Paea said.

Those involved fled the scene in a vehicle that failed to stop for Police.

The Police helicopter spotted the vehicle in Otara and officers eventually took three people - aged between 15 and 17 years old - into custody.

“Inquiries remain ongoing into these incidents with enforcement action to follow.”