A shopkeeper was attacked, and staff were threatened with weapons, in an armed robbery this morning before police tracked the fleeing offenders across Auckland and Waikato.
Three people were arrested two hours after officers were called to a business on George St in Tuakau at around 6.10am following reports of an aggravated robbery.
Police said three offenders entered the store, threatened staff with weapons, assaulted a shopkeeper, and stole a "quantity of items".
"While the shopkeeper was not physically injured, the incident was understandably distressing," Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward said.
A vehicle left the scene and was "quickly located" with help from the Eagle helicopter. The vehicle was tracked as it moved through Auckland before being abandoned.
Another vehicle was then taken from two members of the public who were left "shaken" but uninjured.
The vehicle travelled through Waikato before stopping near Sutherlands Lane in Huntly shortly before 8am.
Three occupants were taken into custody and are due to appear in the Manukau District Court on Monday on several charges.
"Police acknowledge the impact this offending has had on the victims and thank members of the public who were affected by the incident for their cooperation, and all those who called us while the incident was unfolding," Hayward said.
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