8.45am
Police have launched a large-scale inquiry into an incident in which four teenagers were allegedly kidnapped and held at gunpoint near Whangarei.
Whangarei police Detective Sergeant Mike Pannett said the four youths -- aged 15, 16 and two aged 16 -- received moderate injuries after they were allegedly tied up, beaten and robbed.
Police have made one arrest but say several assailants were said to have been involved.
Mr Pannett said the four teens had parked in an isolated area on State Highway 14 near Whatitiri Rd, about 19km southwest of Whangarei, on Tuesday.
They were sitting in their car about 9pm when a group of men approached them.
The teenagers say the men took the keys from the car and started beating one of them at the side of the road.
"A firearm was then allegedly produced (by one of the men) and they were taken from the car and taken at gunpoint to the nearby farm property," Mr Pannett said.
The teenagers said they were bound, gagged and beaten with a firearm and several other weapons, Mr Pannett said.
"They were allegedly subjected to a prolonged assault. There were several weapons involved, including a firearm.
"The victims were tied up, tape put across their mouths and it is understood that property was then taken from them."
He said the number of assailants was not being released at this stage.
The ordeal ended when the teens were able to talk their way out of the house and police were called several hours later when they made their way back to town.
Mr Pannett said all four teens required medical attention for moderate injuries.
He said the teens were "pretty frightened" during the ordeal and were fortunate that none of their injuries were serious or life-threatening.
On Wednesday night armed police executed search warrants at a number of Whangarei addresses and a 19-year-old man was arrested.
The man appeared in Whangarei District Court yesterday on charges including kidnapping, commission of a crime using a firearm and assault.
Mr Pannett said police were still seeking a number of other people.
Police inquiries would continue for several days, including as to why the teens had stopped at the side of the road. Mr Pannett said the teens apparently knew some of their alleged attackers.
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)
Teenagers kidnapped and robbed at gunpoint
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