A quick-thinking neighbour across the road from an East Auckland Liquorland store alerted police to the number plate of a vehicle a group of youths took off in, after they allegedly robbed the premises of thousands of dollars worth of stock.
The group of six, aged between 10 and 15, several wielding hammers, are accused of storming Howick Liquorland just after 9am on Wednesday.
“A stolen white van used by the offenders was spotted soon after by attending police units and was subsequently spiked,” police told 1News in a statement.
The police eagle helicopter tracked the vehicle to an address in South Auckland’s Manurewa. Police said the vehicle was “deliberately” driven through a fence at a residential property.
“The occupants of the van have decamped into the address and six offenders were subsequently taken into custody without incident. Three were arrested and appeared in the Manukau Youth Court on Wednesday and the other three were released and referred to Police’s Youth Aid Service.”
A residential neighbour across the road from the Howick store was quick to spot the incident unfold, and called police immediately as she watched the getaway vehicle leave the scene.
Another neighbouring business told 1News they heard the alarm go off at Liquorland and closed their doors.
“We heard it all happen,” she said, adding that she has upgraded their security system after a number of ram-raids have taken place in the area over the past year.
CEO of Liquorland NZ, Brendon Lawry, told 1News raids are always stressful for staff.
"This and any event like it, are incredibly stressful for our people, unless you have been through something similar, I don’t think you can understand the enormity of it and the feeling of invasion.
"In this case we are extremely happy that the security plans and tools the team had in place did their job; firstly, they kept everyone safe, and secondly it enabled the right security and police response which meant the offenders were caught in an incredibly short timeframe.
"Our focus is always on whatever preventative measure and staff training we can implement, and of course after an event like this being there for our owners and teams with anything they need," Lawry said.
Most of the stolen stock has now been returned to the store owner.
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