Source: New Zealand Police
A neighbour who heard a car alarm and spotted three people running from a vehicle in Papatoetoe is being praised by Police for their quick thinking.
During the early hours of Monday morning Police received a call from a person who saw a group of people running along Wintere Road and the sound of an alarm blaring.
Counties Manukau West Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Mohammed Atiq, says Police arrived within a couple of minutes and sighted two vehicles which had been tampered with.
“A Police camera operator has observed a group of people getting into two vehicles parked nearby.
“The Police Eagle helicopter has then located those same two vehicles outside an address on Cambourne Road.”
Inspector Atiq says shortly after the Police Dog Unit tracked and located five people, who were all taken into custody.
“This is a great result for Police and our community,” he says.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the camera operators, Eagle and Delta who responded so quickly to this incident.”
Police continue to ask the community to report suspicious activity in their neighbourhood.
“We would also like to thank the vigilant member of the public for reporting the suspicious activity in the first instance.
“We know that stolen vehicles are often used to commit further offending against the community, so to be able to disrupt this group is a great result.”
An 18-year-old man will appear in Waitākere District Court on 5 October charged with unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.
Four other people, aged 13-17, have been referred to Youth Aid Services.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/22/alarm-bells-ringing-for-car-thieves/