A get-away car was spiked and four teens were arrested after a Whangārei service station worker was threatened by masked thieves last night.
Officers were called to the service station on Western Hills Drive at about 9.30pm to reports of "four masked offenders" entering the store, police say.
Whangārei area commander Maria Nordstrom said the alleged offenders "threatened the attendant before taking a number of items and fleeing in a stolen vehicle".
"The vehicle was quickly picked up by staff, who signalled for the driver to stop. They have failed to do so and police have initiated a pursuit," she said in a media release.
The police commander said the car continued to flee from officers before it was successfully spiked while still heading north on Western Hills Drive, around Kensington.
"The group has then dumped the vehicle and fled on foot onto Bank St where Delta has quickly taken three people into custody," Nordstrom alleged.
"The police dog unit has then spent 20 minutes tracking the fourth offender, which resulted in another arrest. This is a fantastic result, with the youths apprehended in minutes and all stolen property recovered.
"We also understand how distressing incidents like these are for victims and we hope these arrests will help provide reassurance to both the victims in this case and to the community."
Four teenagers aged between 17 and 18 are now set to appear in court, police said.
A 17-year-old will appear in Whangārei Youth Court charged with failing to stop, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and aggravated robbery.
An 18-year-old charged with aggravated robbery and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle will appear in Whangārei District Court today.
A 17-year-old charged with aggravated robbery and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle will appear in Whangārei Youth Court today.
An 18-year-old will appear in Whangārei Youth Court charged with aggravated robbery and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.
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