File photo. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Six youths have been arrested after a ram raid in Rothesay Bay - one of two smash and grabs in Tāmaki Makaurau this morning.
A superette on Beach Rd was targeted just before 4am.
Police said Eagle helicopter staff, who were searching for an unrelated vehicle, saw a car speeding away from the scene and followed it.
Police on the ground stopped the vehicle on Mayoral Drive and took the youths aged between 13 and 16 into custody.
They will appear in the Youth Court.
Police were then called to a second ram raid at a superette on Botany Road in Howick, just before 5am.
A car was abandoned at the scene.
A second car, believed to have been used in the raid, was found on fire in Ōtara.
Police said they were investigating.