Five teenagers allegedly stormed a dairy in Three Kings, Auckland, and tried to take cash but got trapped inside the store.
The incident happened at Duke Street Superette on the corner of Mt Eden Rd about 2pm yesterday. The group were allegedly in a stolen car, which they parked outside the store.
The alleged offenders set upon a shopkeeper but the victim managed to break free and flee, Detective Senior Sergeant Laura Hadwen said.
Workers nearby heard a commotion and came to help, Hadwen said.
“While the offenders were trying to access the till, the workers had other ideas and forced the store’s security roller door shut,” she said.
Police received a call and arrived at the scene to find the alleged offenders still inside.
“Instead of making a getaway from the store, the door was opened and the five were placed in handcuffs,” Hadwen said.
Three of the teenagers were young women and the other two were young men. They were aged between 14 and 17.
Hawden said police investigators were probing all instances of such violent offending in the city.
“Investigators right across Auckland are continuing to investigate this violent offending being inflicted against businesses in our community, and charges continue to be laid,” she said.
The property had been targeted four times during the past few weeks.