An 11-year-old driver is among nine people apprehended overnight following a ram-raid at an Auckland dairy.
Residents called 111 just after 1am on Thursday and said three cars were travelling suspiciously west towards Sandringham.
"Our staff have been patrolling through Sandringham Rd and arrived at a superette where one of those vehicles had been used in an alleged ram raid, with a burglary underway," said Insp Glenn Baldwin, Auckland City West's area prevention manager.
"The nine offenders subsequently fled from the scene in a Toyota Aqua, with a number of stolen goods."
Baldwin said the group drove at a "dangerously high speed" along Sandringham Rd. They then abandoned the car near Kingsland Train Station, got into a second stolen car and travelled south on the motorway.
"The police eagle helicopter responded and provided observations of the vehicle's movements," Baldwin said.
Spikes were successfully deployed in the Manurewa area, with the vehicle being stopped in Clendon.
All nine offenders were apprehended a short distance away without issue.
Two of them are due to appear in Youth Court and the remaining seven will be referred to Youth Aid, police said.
Baldwin said Toyota Aquas continue to be one of the most commonly stolen vehicles in Auckland.
"We understand the distress it can cause to have property taken and would like to remind people to secure their vehicles at all times, even when parked in a driveway.
"A steering wheel lock is an inexpensive but effective tool, which often deters opportunist thieves."
He also acknowledged the members of the public who reported the group to 111.
"These members of the community alerted police to the initial suspicious behaviour and we strongly encourage anyone who witnesses potentially illegal activity to call 111 straight away."
