Two participants of the Government’s youth boot camp pilot programme have been found after going missing for several days.
Children’s Minister Karen Chhour said she was “relieved” the pair have been found but that the “circumstances are disappointing”.
1News understands the two youths were taken into custody in Hamilton yesterday after allegedly fleeing from police with two others in a stolen vehicle.
It later came to a stop after being spiked and its occupants fled on foot. Police allege the driver then tried to carjack a member of the public’s vehicle while carrying a machete.
Detective Graham Pitkethley said following the incident three suspects were arrested and a fourth was located by a police dog unit.
1News understands the teens were apprehended after allegedly fleeing police in Hamilton. (Source: 1News)
Pitkethley said inquiries were ongoing, including whether any of the four have links to a number car thefts and aggravated robberies in the city over recent days.
A 15-year-old youth has been charged with escaping custody, aggravated failing to stop, dangerous driving, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, and possession of an offensive weapon.
Two other 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old face charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
Three will appear in Hamilton Youth Court on Monday, with a fourth appearing on Wednesday.
“Oranga Tamariki can confirm the two participants in the Military Style Academy pilot who absconded have now been found,” OT’s deputy chief executive of youth justice services and residential care Tusha Penny said.
“As they are set to appear before the Youth Court, no further comment can be made at this time.”
It was revealed last week that two teens had absconded in the days after another boot camp participant was farewelled after being killed in a car crash near Tīrau on November 27.
One of the youths fled staff while attending the tangi on Tuesday, having been granted compassionate bail, while the whereabouts of the second youth, who was living with family, were unknown from Wednesday. Chhour was not told about the second escape.
In a statement to 1News today, Chhour said Oranga Tamariki (OT) did not have the ability to “restrict the movement” of the boot camp participants now they have moved into the nine-month community phase of the pilot.
“The young people have been in either family or community placements, where they are trusted to comply with their legal orders.”
She said the pilot had seen some success as some of the 10 participants had pursued jobs, education and training.
