3 May 2022

Auckland hit by string of overnight ram raids, burglaries

11:24 am on 3 May 2022

Three people have been arrested after a spate of burglaries in Auckland last night, including a string committed by the same people.

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Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

In a statement, Police said two young men ram raided a Harvey Norman in Westgate just after 11pm, then did the same at an liquor store shortly after.

Police said two vehicles fled the scene after alcohol was allegedly stolen.

One of these vehicles was located in the Glen Eden area before the police dog section was deployed and tracked to a nearby address.

Police searched the address where they recovered a number of liquor bottles and arrested two people for unrelated matters.

They continued to make enquiries this morning resulting in a further two arrests.

Two men, aged 18 and 19-years-old, are set to appear in the Waitākere District Court later today.

Police could not rule out further arrests in relation to the two incidents.

Overnight, Police also reported a failed break-in at a Takanini mobile phone shop - foiled by the store's fog cannon.

Auckland City burglaries

In Auckland City, a burglary took place at a Hillsborough property just before midnight.

A vehicle spotted leaving the area failed to stop when signalled by police.

Police chose not to pursue the vehicle which eventually crashed in Mt Roskill. A police dog and handler later located a 28-year-old man at a Mt Albert address where he was arrested in relation to outstanding burglary matters.

Later on at 2am, Police said the Huffer clothing store in Ponsonby had a window smashed and $15,000 of stock stolen.

The offenders were seen leaving the area in a vehicle that was later located nearby in Newton.

Huffer managing director Kate Berry said thieves target and take their down jackets, which retail for $400-$500 each.

Berry said retailers shouldn't be fearful every night of their store being burgled.

She said with the spate of recent robberies their young staff were fearful of being victimised.

Repairs are expected to the store will cost about $10,000.

Police reminded the public that people knowingly or recklessly buys or receives stolen goods could be liable for prosecution.

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