Police have arrested five people following an aggravated burglary at a commercial premises in Albany late on Friday morning.
Officers were called to The Avenue about 11.20am after reports that five individuals had entered a store and were removing items when a confrontation occurred. During the incident, the store owner was assaulted and suffered minor injuries.
The group fled the scene in a vehicle but were quickly located by police near the intersection of Queen Street and Coatesville–Riverhead Highway. All five suspects were taken into custody by midday.
Four young men aged 17, 18, 18 and 21 have been charged with shoplifting. A fifth offender, a 21-year-old man from Manukau, faces charges of aggravated assault and shoplifting. The 17-year-old will be dealt with through Youth Aid, while the remaining four are scheduled to appear in the North Shore District Court on Monday.
Further enquiries have linked three of the suspects to an earlier shoplifting incident at a Riverhead business in late October. Two additional charges have been laid in relation to that matter, with another youth referred to Youth Aid.
Waitematā East Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Caroline Miles said officers from multiple units worked together to swiftly apprehend the group.
“It’s a great feeling knowing the alleged offenders have been caught, especially in less than an hour,” she said.
Police have offered support to the victim, who is recovering at home with his family.
Image credit: Kindel Media
