Remuera home invasion: Police arrest five aged 11 to 13, man taken to hospital

A friend of the man assaulted in his Remuera home by a group of boys - some as young as 11 years old - says the family is very distressed and upset by the attack.

Police have arrested five boys aged 11 to 13 after a homeowner was injured when he confronted a group of boys inside his Ohinerau St home last night.

Today a family friend who did not want to be named said she was called this morning by the couple who live at the property and told about what had happened.

She said the family was very distressed and upset.

She had raced over to support her friends through the ordeal.

“I’ll stay here as long as my friend needs me,” she said.

A neighbour said they initially heard the alarm go off around 8:30pm but couldn’t see anything happening on the street.

She said the victim’s wife came and rang her doorbell and asked if she knew anything.

”They had been for a 40-minute walk around the block and found the window open and the garage door open.

She said initially the husband chased after the five boys.

”The wife asked if my husband and I could try and find her husband as he had not come back.

”We eventually saw the police who said he was being treated by the ambulance.

”She said the man was hit in his eye and is now having trouble opening it.”

She described the couple in their 50s as very quiet, much like a lot of the neighbourhood.

Relieving Auckland City East Area Prevention Manager Senior Sergeant David Mayes said police responded to reports of a burglary at a residential address on Ohinerau St around 9pm.

“The owner of the property returned home to find five people had allegedly broken into the address and were still inside.

Responding frontline officers located and took all five youths into custody without further incident. Photo / Hayden Woodward

“When confronted, the suspects have attempted to flee. The property owner tried to stop the suspects and was assaulted by one of them.

“Those involved ran from the area, however responding frontline officers, with the assistance of the Eagle helicopter and the Police dog unit, located and took all five into custody without further incident.”

Five males, aged between 11 and 13, had been referred to Youth Aid in relation to the burglary and the associated assault.

Mayes said the victim was transported to hospital as a precaution.

“They have since received medical treatment for minor injuries and are now recovering at home.”

Senior Sergeant Mayes said Police are providing support to the victim.

“We understand the impact property crime can have however would caution people against taking matters into their own hands.

“In general, the best thing to do is to avoid a confrontation, maintain observations, and call Police.”

Mayes said this type of crime is unacceptable and has no place in our communities.

“We hope the swift arrests are reassuring to our Remuera locals and the wider community. Our frontline officers work extremely hard and around the clock to hold offenders to account.”

Police continue to encourage those who see something happening now to call 111.