Four teenagers have been arrested after stealing a number of vehicles and then using a barstool to smash their way into a liquor store in north Waikato overnight.
Counties Manukau South Area Commander, Inspector Joe Hunter said the crime spree began just before 1am on Wednesday morning.
The group of teens - all aged between 16 and 17 - stole a vehicle from Calder Crescent and the owner immediately contacted police.
"The group of male offenders left in this vehicle, travelling with a ute, which was also stolen," Hunter said.
A short time later, the teens used a stool to break into The Bottle-O on Market Street West in Pōkeno, where they smashed a window to enter the store.
The thieves stole vape products and alcohol from within the liquor store before fleeing in the vehicle stolen from Calder Cresent and loaded into the ute which they had parked nearby.
"On arrival, our staff sighted the ute and signalled it to stop but it failed to do so," Hunter said.
"Eagle [helicopter] had also arrived in the area and began to provide observations of the offenders' movements."
A short time later, the teens were seen ditching the ute and getting into the other stolen vehicle.
The vehicle continued south and the Eagle helicopter continued to monitor it overhead.
"Spikes were successfully deployed near Huntly, and pleasingly all four were then taken into custody without further incident," Hunter said.
One of the offenders has been held in police custody overnight and will appear in the Manukau Youth Court. The others have been referred to Youth Services, according to Hunter.
"Police are continuing to work hard to respond to offending against businesses in our community, holding offenders to account," Hunter said.
"In this case, a key element to our response was the quick contact from our community to advise us of the initial car theft. Our focus today will be on supporting the victims here where possible."
