Five people have been arrested after an aggravated burglary and storeowner assault in Auckland's Albany on Friday.
Five people entered the business on The Avenue at around 11.20am and were taking items when an altercation broke out.
The store's owner was assaulted, receiving minor injuries.
The offenders then fled in a vehicle, but were soon found by police near the intersection of Queen Street and Coatesville-Riverhead Highway and arrested by 12pm.
A 21-year-old Manukau man has been charged with aggravated assault and shoplifting. The four others, aged 17, 18, 18 and 21, were charged with shoplifting.
The youngest would be referred to Youth Aid, with the older four set to appear in the North Shore District Court on Monday.
Police also linked three of the offenders to another shoplifting incident in Riverhead near the end of October. Two were charged, with the other referred to Youth Aid.
Waitematā East Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Caroline Miles was pleased the offenders were caught in less than an hour.
“We have offered support to the victim, who was confronted by a scenario that no person should ever have to deal with. We’re just grateful that he is able to recover at home and be with his family."
SHARE ME