Youth crime was rampant in the North Island overnight with several retailers hit by a wave of burglaries
A Napier shopping centre was hit by a group of young offenders who later threw objects at police as they tried to catch the fleeing offenders.
Just before 1am on Monday, a stolen vehicle was used by the group of offenders who broke into a shop on Emerson St in Napier.
Police said the group appeared to have taken several items.
A short time later, police said the same vehicle was used in another store burglary on the street.
At around 2:40am, police received reports of the same vehicle leaving a business in Hastings.
Police pursued the vehicle through Hastings while the group threw objects at them.
The vehicle was spiked on Tomoana Rd, Hastings and lost its left rear tyre, but continued to Napier where it was eventually stopped by police.
Three youths and one 19-year-old were taken into custody and the majority of the stolen property was recovered.
Later in the early hours of the morning, stores in Northland were the next target of another young offender.
Three burglaries occurred in Northland overnight, with two stores and a petrol station targeted in Whangārei and Dargaville.
Senior Sergeant Darren Sullivan said frontline staff patrolling near Poroti found a suspicious vehicle after 4am which failed to stop.
The vehicle was spiked near Kaikohe Airport and its sole occupant, a 16-year-old male was taken into custody
Police found a range of property allegedly stolen during the burglaries in the vehicle.
The driver is now before the Whangārei Youth Court on a raft of charges including burglary, failing to stop and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
Hawke's Bay's Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Martin James said the Napier arrests are an example of the commitment of police to reducing crime in our communities.
"We acknowledge this type of offending causes concern and harm in our community and it will not be tolerated," Inspector James said.
"It's important we all remain vigilant to help ensure the safety and security of our local retailers and the whole community."
It comes after the Government announced its new youth crime package earlier this month, including an extension of youth engagement and employment programs to allow additional participants.
