A West Auckland dairy owner has described hearing a "big bang" in the early hours of the morning as burglars attempted to break into his store – only to make off with expired bread.
Police were called to West Harbour Superette on Luckens Rd in West Harbour shortly after 2am following reports of an attempted break-in.
Store owner Jemishkumar Patel told 1News he was asleep at his home across the street when he heard a loud noise coming from the store.
"It was a big, big bang," he said.
Patel said CCTV footage showed three offenders attempting to break inside through a bread delivery storage area located outside the shop.
The offenders damaged the store's storage bin outside, ripped off a metal panel and smashed a glass door, but were unable to get inside because of a security grille.
Instead they made off with a handful of vapes and loaves of bread — including expired bread — which been left outside for a delivery driver to collect.
Patel said he and his cousin rushed to the store after checking the CCTV footage, but the offenders had already fled.
"I couldn't sleep this morning after it happened, because I had to sort out all the things to fix," he said.
The store was able to open as normal today, Patel said, and nobody was hurt in the incident.
Waitematā West Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Jon Winthrop said the trio allegedly arrived at the dairy in a Toyota.
The police Eagle helicopter located the vehicle shortly afterwards, allowing officers to deploy road spikes on Widmore Dr.
Getaway vehicle lost headway, rolled back into patrol car
Winthrop said the vehicle continued through Henderson before losing speed while travelling uphill.
"The vehicle has subsequently come to a stop and rolled back into a patrol car, causing very minor damage and thankfully not injuring anyone," he said.
"Three occupants were quickly taken into custody."
Winthrop said one of the alleged offenders was found in possession of a machete.
A 16-year-old and a 17-year-old were charged with aggravated burglary and vehicle-related offences, while an 18-year-old man faced charges including aggravated burglary and possession of an offensive weapon.
The three were due to appear in the Waitākere District and Youth Courts next week.
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