Four teenagers are facing charges after allegedly breaking into vehicles in east Auckland.
Counties Manukau East Police area commander, Inspector Rod Honan, says the incident happened in Flat Bush on July 4.
He says residents saw a group of offenders breaking into at least three vehicles around Amaretto Avenue at about 11pm.
Honan says the residents provided good information, including a description and registration of the vehicle the suspects had fled in.
“The police Eagle helicopter responded to the area and sighted the vehicle, which was stolen,” he says.
“Eagle directed our ground staff to the vehicle’s location, and it was successfully spiked.”
The vehicle the offenders were travelling in came to a stop shortly afterward.
Honan says four of its occupants, who are aged 14-16 years old, were taken into custody without further incident.
They’re facing multiple charges of unlawfully interfering with a motor vehicle and will appear in the Manukau Youth Court.
“We know this sort of offending where people’s property is targeted can be incredibly invasive for our community,” Honan says.
“I would like to acknowledge residents who observed the offending occurring and called 111 straight away, meaning police could respond.”
