Youth allegedly brandishes machete during aggravated robbery in Moerewa

Early on Tuesday, two youths allegedly stormed a convenience store in Moerewa armed with a machete and made off with cigarettes. Photo / NZME

Two youths reportedly armed with a machete and wearing ski masks stormed a convenience store in the Far North yesterday.

Mid North Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Mark Barratt said the pair entered the store on Main Rd, Moerewa, around 6.50am.

He reported they had been wearing ski masks and one had brandished a machete.

Barratt said the pair threatened staff and a customer before allegedly stealing cigarettes. They fled the scene in two vehicles, both reportedly stolen.

Both vehicles were later found abandoned in Kaikohe.

Police tracked down the two males inside a property near where the vehicles had been dumped.

They were found alongside a bag containing cigarettes.

Barratt said no one had been injured as a result of the “brazen offending”.

“We will continue to hold to account those who think this type of offending is acceptable.”

The youth appeared in the Kaikohe Youth Court.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.