A group of seven teenagers were taken into custody after an alleged late-night joyride through South Auckland yesterday evening.
It comes after a member of the public called police at around 11.30pm, saying a group of people were trying to steal his car on Flat Bush School Rd in Flat Bush.
The Eagle helicopter quickly spotted the group in a stolen vehicle, following them to Hollyford Drive where three of the alleged offenders were dropped off. They were taken into custody shortly afterwards.
The driver then continued onto State Highway 1, heading southbound to Manurewa, “where it proceeded to drive around the area for some time before being spiked”.
The vehicle eventually came to a stop in Clendon Park, where four others were taken into custody.
An 18-year-old has been charged with unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle and will appear in the Manukau District Court today.
An 11-year-old, 13-year-old, three 14-year-olds and a 17-year-old have been referred to Youth Aid Services.
“I’d like to acknowledge the community’s vigilance in reporting this suspicious activity to us straight away, which allowed us to respond quickly,” Counties Manukau East area prevention manager Inspector Rakana Cook said.
“It’s also a timely reminder that if something suspicious is happening in your neighbourhood and you see it, don’t hesitate to call police.”
