Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Attribute to Detective Inspector Chris Barry, Auckland City CIB:
Three people have been arrested following two incidents in Auckland City and an appeal is underway for information in regards to a string of burglary incidents overnight.
Just after 2am, a Police unit observed a vehicle travelling at speed from a location in Royal Oak. The vehicle failed to stop for Police and while no pursuit was initiated, the vehicle was spiked a short distance away.
Enquiries established the vehicle was allegedly involved in an earlier burglary at a retail address in Ellerslie and a large quantity of merchandise was recovered from the vehicle.
One 45-year-old male was subsequently arrested and will appear in Auckland District Court today, on multiple charges relating to burglary and theft.
Shortly later, around 2.35am, two people were taken into custody following a separate incident in Penrose.
Police received reports of the pair allegedly stealing scrap metal from a location on Great South Road. They fled the area in a vehicle, but were located by Police a short time later and the property was recovered from the vehicle.
Both people, a 38-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man are due to appear in the Manukau District Court today, both charged with burglary.
As both these matters are now before the Courts, Police are unable to comment further.
Appeal for information in other burglary incidents:
Meanwhile, Police are investigating a string of burglaries in Auckland City overnight, which took place in Ōrākei and St Heliers.
Around 3.05am, Police received reports of a vehicle being used to gain entry into a retail store on Tamaki Road, Ōrākei.
Despite the vehicle breaking through the doors, the offenders were unable to gain further access and the group has fled the scene in a second vehicle, described as a white Toyota hatchback.
Shortly after, around 3.45am, Police received reports of three burglaries in a block of retail addresses on West Tamaki Road, St Heliers. A vehicle was not used to gain access in these incidents.
All three addresses have had their doors broken into and property stolen and the offenders have left in a vehicle.
Around 4am, a vehicle matching the description of the white Toyota was used to gain entry into a retail address on Ashby Avenue, St Heliers. The offenders have taken an unknown number of items and fled in the same vehicle.
About 30 minutes later, at 4.30am, a vehicle was used to gain entry into a hospitality address on Turua Street, St Heliers. Police believe the offenders have taken the till and left in the same vehicle.
At this stage Police are working to establish the circumstances of all incidents and to determine whether the incidents are linked.
While no arrests have yet been made, we want to reassure the public our staff are working extremely hard to identify these offenders.
Police have absolutely no tolerance for this type of offending against our local business owners, and we work hard to hold to account those responsible.
Anyone with any information that may assist Police in the above incidents are asked to contact our 105 phone service or go to https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105, using Update My Report.
Please reference file number 220804/3797.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS.
Anna Thompson/NZ Police
