Teens caught after alleged aggravated robberies in Auckland, dramatic chase on first day of school holidays

Police cars outside the Kiwi Superette after the robbery. Photo / Dean Purcell

Four teenagers have been caught by police dog teams in Ōtara after two alleged armed robberies in Auckland followed by a dramatic chase.

Their alleged crime spree, on the first day of the school holidays, began at a commercial premises in Manurewa’s Mahia Rd at about 9.20am.

“The four people entered the shop armed with weapons, however, left with nothing when a fog cannon and panic alarm were triggered,” said Inspector Jason Homan.

Less than an hour later and about 40km northwest, they hit the Kiwi Superette on the corner of Henderson Valley Rd and Pine Ave and Parrs Cross Rd in West Auckland.

“They jumped the counter while the shopkeepers were in a back room,” Homan said, adding that the teens stole cigarettes.

The owner of the shop told the Herald four teenagers aged about 15 or 16 smashed through the wire and Perspex of the counter. He did not have time to activate the fog cannon to foil the robbers, but it was eventually triggered. The owner was not injured.

Today's incident is not the first time the dairy in West Auckland has been targeted by young robbers. Photo / Dean Purcell

He declined to comment further.

Homan said CCTV cameras captured the suspects’ car on Great North Rd in Glen Eden and the police Eagle helicopter was able to track the vehicle.

“Police units on the ground attempted to use road spikes to stop the vehicle but this was unsuccessful,” Homan said.

The teenagers fled south towards Manukau on the motorway before taking the exit at Puhinui Rd.

The four youths ended up at Ngāti Ōtara Park, where they abandoned their vehicle.

“Police dog units managed to track and apprehend them,” Homan said.

“Charges are being considered.”

Two years ago, the Kiwi Superette was robbed by three youths who were arrested after a police chase across West Auckland.