Police have arrested and charged two men and two youths after an aggravated robbery in Thames which led to a high-speed pursuit spanning more than 100km before it ended in Hamilton.
Officers were called to a business on Pollen St at around 8am after reports of an aggravated robbery. Before police arrived, the alleged offenders fled in a vehicle, later abandoning it on a nearby street and switching to another car.
Initial inquiries helped police identify the second vehicle, which was soon linked to reports of dangerous driving. This allowed officers to track the group’s movements as the chase unfolded.
The vehicle was spotted in the Hamilton suburb of Nawton at around 10.10am, with the Eagle helicopter deployed from Auckland to assist.
Two people were seen being dropped off near Waikato Hospital and were arrested shortly after. The remaining two continued in the vehicle, which was successfully spiked around 11.30am on Bartholomew Dr before stopping on Sunnyside Rd.
The pair allegedly tried to flee in a third vehicle but were intercepted and taken into custody.
In a statement this evening, police said two men, aged 20 and 18, along with two 14-year-old boys, are charged with aggravated robbery, unlawfully using a vehicle and failing to stop for police.
"An investigation into the incident continues and further charges are likely to follow," said detective senior sergeant Scott Neilson.
Neilson thanked the members of the public who assisted the victim, who was "understandably shaken".
Inspector Jeff Penno earlier told 1News Waikato police had engaged in a "lengthy pursuit" with a vehicle.
"We were supported by the Eagle helicopter overhead, which allowed all ground units to pull back," he said.
"Of note that the offender's horrendous driving did not alter when there were no police vehicles were around, we were so lucky no one was killed today."
Penno said the arrests were a "great result".
"We love it when the Eagle comes over the hill and helps us, it's a great asset."
A witness said they saw the car "flying" in a 50km zone "probably going at least 100km/h, overtaking cars".
"We saw a very small glimpse of it, but it was fast and reckless," she told 1News.
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