Nine young people - including an 11-year-old driver - have been caught after a dairy in Auckland was ram-raided early this morning.
Photo: 123RF
Police say residents in the suburb of Sandringham called 111 shortly after 1am.
Auckland City West's area prevention manager Inspector Glenn Baldwin said a burglary was underway by the time officers arrived at the scene.
The nine allegedly involved fled with some stolen items in a Toyota car which was abandoned a short time later near the Kingsland train station.
All the youths then got into a second vehicle, which sped south at a dangerously high speed on the motorway, Baldwin said.
"The Police Eagle helicopter responded and provided observations of the vehicle's movements."
Road spikes were used on a street in Manurewa which resulted in the car being stopped a short distance away in Clendon.
The group were all caught nearby without incident, Baldwin said.
Two members of the group are due to appear in the Youth Court.
The others have been referred to Youth Aid.
Inspector Baldwin said Toyota Aquas continue to be one of the most commonly stolen vehicles in Auckland.
"We understand the distress it can cause to have property taken and would like to remind people to secure their vehicles at all times, even when parked in a driveway.
"A steering wheel lock is an inexpensive but effective tool, which often deters opportunist thieves."
He also praised residents who made the initial call to police.