A police officer was assaulted while arresting four "extremely aggressive" men after an alleged burglary and car theft targeting an elderly woman in Auckland's Mt Roskill.
Police responded to the burglary in the Mt Roskill area just before 7.30pm yesterday, when a man allegedly forced his way through the woman's front door, demanding car keys before stealing her vehicle.
Auckland City West Area Investigation Manager Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill said officers tried to locate the vehicle at the time, and a short time later the stolen Suzuki Swift was seen turning onto Fearon Avenue.
He said the vehicle was followed to an address on Bridgeman Avenue.
"There were four occupants in the vehicle as it came to a stop, units moved in to extract the occupants who were extremely aggressive," he said.
"During the course of arresting these men, one of the passengers allegedly resisted arrest and assaulted one of the officers."
A Taser was deployed to take this man into custody.
Darvill said the officer was taken for medical checks and was being provided with support.
He added that the victim of the burglary was not assaulted, but was "understandably very shaken at what took place last night".
"This behaviour is totally unacceptable, and we will hold these men to account in the court," he said.
The 34-year-old passenger has been charged with burglary, assaulting a first responder, resisting police and possession of methamphetamine.
He would appear in the Auckland District Court today.
The 36-year-old driver was charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and resisting police.
Two other passengers, aged 28 and 29, have been charged with resisting police.
These men would appear in court next week.
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