Police have arrested five teenagers who they say are behind a series of aggravated robberies, burglaries and ram raids across Auckland.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Police launched Operation Sol last month after thefts at liquor stores, service stations and jewellery stores appeared to have a common link.
Four 17 and 18-year-olds, and one 15-year-old, have been arrested.
They face a range of charges, including aggravated robbery, unlawful taking, burglary, breach of supervision, aggravated burglary and escapes custody.
Detective senior sergeant Scott Armstrong said a large team of detectives worked on the case, including some in Hamilton.
"Police take this kind of offending extremely seriously, and are willing to commit significant resources to apprehend those responsible."
He said the crimes had a traumatic and devastating effect on the victims, both physically and emotionally.
"These violent crimes can cause significant financial loss and substantial inconvenience for our communities and the offenders' actions have a ripple effect that flows onto the owners of vehicles that are often stolen to facilitate these crimes.
"They need to be stopped and held accountable for their actions."
Meanwhile, two other teenagers have been arrested for the aggravated robberies of three petrol stations and a McDonalds in Waikato in the past week.
Two boys, aged 17 and 19, will appear before the Hamilton District Court tomorrow morning.
A 17-year-old girl and a 16-year-old were arrested earlier in the week in connection with the robberies of two Z Energy petrol stations in Te Awamutu and Dinsdale, Gasoline Alley in Enderley and McDonald's in Horsham Downs.
