Six youths, as young as 12, were arrested after they allegedly live streamed a series of car thefts and a crash in the Manawatū region early this morning.
Police were alerted at around 3.30am on Friday after a live stream uploaded to TikTok showed a vehicle crashing into a pole and sustaining some damage before driving away.
Manawatū area commander Inspector Ross Grantham said the vehicle occupants discussed stealing another car in Woodville during the live stream.
"Dannevirke staff were called out, and police monitored the situation on TikTok while units converged on the area."
The group were travelling in two vehicles, both stolen from Palm Ave in Palmerston North, he added.
"They later abandoned the previously damaged vehicle at Mangatainoka, all got into one vehicle, and headed back towards Woodville."
Police deployed the Manawatū Tactical Dog Team at the Ashhurst roundabout intersection and were successful in spiking all four tyres, forcing the occupants to abandon the vehicle.
Grantham said they fled on foot across the Ashhurst Bridge where all six were arrested without incident.
"In total, three vehicles were stolen from the Palm Ave area over night with only one vehicle being spiked.
"This incident is an excellent example of strategic planning and the effective use of staff from the wider Manawatū District to prevent a pursuit occurring."
The offenders, aged between 12 and 16, were from Palmerston North and would be referred to Youth Aid.
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