Flat Bush robbery: Four arrested after police chase across, Auckland, Waikato

Police made four arrests after an operation unfolded across two regions following an aggravated robbery in Flat Bush this morning.

The police chase disrupted traffic on a busy route on Auckland’s North Shore this morning; meanwhile, another fleeing vehicle headed south towards Waikato.

About 5am, a group of men arrived at a Kerrykeel Drive property.

Detective Inspector Karen Bright said the men were carrying weapons.

“It was reported that one of these men was in possession of a firearm, before they have taken property and stolen a vehicle from the address.”

The Police Eagle helicopter located this stolen vehicle on State Highway 20 heading north.

“Eagle observed this vehicle travelling in tandem with a second vehicle, which was also stolen,” Bright said.

“Units moved in and signalled both vehicles to stop near Te Atatū, in which both failed to stop.”

Footage has emerged of the pursuit showing 10 police cars filing slowly through an intersection behind the fleeing vehicle.

Sirens are blaring and the pursuing patrol vehicles have lights flashing while traffic stops to let them through.

About a dozen police cars and officers swarmed a section of Glenfield Rd around 7.30am, blocking traffic from passing.

Stuff reported that a motorist was forced to take evasive action when a car came hurling towards her vehicle this morning.

The driver said she was “shocked and scared” as she swerved to miss the car, which was followed by “about 15 police cars”.

Another witness said he saw 10 police cars following the fleeing vehicle through Auckland’s North Shore.

A photo posted by North Shore councillor Richard Hills showed at least 12 police cars stationed across the road, preventing buses and other cars from travelling past.

Many police cars were stationed on Glenfield Rd early this morning. Photo / Richard Hills

Hills urged people to avoid the area and told parents that if their child walked to school along the road, they would need to keep their distance.

“It will be very congested out there. There’s not really anything we can do until police complete what they’re doing and move out.”

The second vehicle involved was headed south towards the Waikato region.

Waikato AOS was deployed as the vehicle carried on at high speed.

“The vehicle has collided with barriers on Tirau Rd, and AOS moved in to carry out an armed traffic stop,” Bright said.

Three male occupants were arrested at the scene. Those arrested were a 17-year-old and two 18-year-olds.

Police seized both vehicles, with detailed examinations yet to be carried out.

“Counties Manukau CIB are continuing to investigate the entire circumstances of what unfolded at the Flat Bush address this morning,” Bright said.

No occupants at the address suffered any injuries, nor did any motorists on the roading network this morning, police said.