A man is due to appear in court and two others have been referred to Youth Aid following an alleged carjacking, and the theft of two vehicles — including one with a dog inside — in East Auckland over the weekend.
Police were called following reports of a carjacking outside a home on Murvale Dr, in Bucklands Beach, around 12.25pm on Saturday, Inspector Rakana Cook said.
Two people were sitting in their vehicle when they were approached by a male.
"It's understood this person has presented a weapon and forced both people out of the car before taking it and fleeing the area towards MacLeans Rd," he said.
"This male has also taken a number of personal items, which were in the vehicle at the time."
The vehicle and two others, also alleged to have been stolen, were spotted by the police Eagle helicopter arriving at a petrol station in Pakuranga just before 5pm.
The vehicles were being monitored after a witness reported one of the vehicles doing burnouts on Pakuranga Rd.
Police patrol cars attempted to block in the vehicles, however "two fled the area and a third was abandoned", Cook said.
One of the vehicles monitored by police was seen driving "dangerously" through Pakuranga, before meeting up with the second vehicle on Portadown Ave.
The trio were "apprehended without further incident", he said.
A dog which was found in one of the vehicles was taken into the care of Animal Management.
"A few hours later, one of the Counties Manukau West sergeants noted a dog had been reported stolen from an earlier burglary and recognised the vehicle involved," Cook said.
"The dog, who was safe and well, was happily reunited with its owner."
Cook thanked the members of the public who reported the "volatile incident" to police.
He also acknowledged the "frustration and concern this can cause to our community".
"We hope these arrests reassure our locals police are continuing to work hard to hold those choosing to engage in this sort of behaviour to account."
An 18-year-old man is due to appear in the Manukau District Court today charged with aggravated burglary and the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.
Two others, both aged 17, have been referred to Youth Aid.
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