Waikato burglaries: Arrests after stores targeted by thieves

Five youths have been arrested after several Waikato stores were burgled and damaged this week.

Police allege the youths, travelling in a stolen vehicle, broke into a commercial premises in Cambridge using hammers around 4.20am on October 14.

The premises and items inside were damaged.

A store on Heaphy Tce in Hamilton was then broken into about 5.40am with several items and cash stolen and the store damaged.

On October 15, a second commercial premises was broken into in Cambridge.

The group arrived in a stolen vehicle about 1.30am and used hammers to gain entry before taking items from the store.

The youths then allegedly travelled in a second stolen vehicle to a service station on Naylor St where items were taken and the store damaged.

That same vehicle was then driven to a store on Cambridge Rd in Hillcrest where hammers were used to gain entry to the premises and items stolen.

Police then observed a vehicle that was reported stolen, travelling in Fairview Downs in Hamilton about midday.

Police signalled for the vehicle to stop, however, it failed to do so. The vehicle was found a short time later in Nawton, police said.

Five youths were found at a property near the vehicle and arrested.