Police dog tracks alleged offenders two kilometres before arrests

Two youths have been taken into custody after a burglary and fleeing driver event in Takanini this morning.

Police were notified at around 3.19am, that a group of people had broken into a commercial premises on Great South Road.

Counties Manukau South Area Commander, Inspector Joe Hunter, says a stolen vehicle had been used to force entry into the building.

“The offenders have tied a rope or chain from the vehicle to the cage covering the rear window and ripped it off.

“From there, the offenders have smashed through the window and six of them have entered.

“They have proceeded to break the glass displays and take various electronic items.”

It was at this time, a Police unit patrolling the area arrived at the scene.

“Two offenders got into the stolen vehicle and fled the scene, pursued by Police, and threw several stolen items out of the window.

“The pursuit was abandoned due to the manner of driving, but Police came across the vehicle in a ditch a short time later.

“A Police dog team then tracked the offenders some two kilometres down a rough track and eventually caught up with the pair who were taken into custody,” Inspector Hunter says.

Charges are being considered for the alleged offenders, and the stolen vehicle has been recovered.

“This was great work from our front-line team to make these apprehensions so quickly and demonstrates why it’s important to be patrolling our community in these early hours.

“We want to reassure the community that this type of offending will not be tolerated. We work hard to hold offenders to account to ensure the safety of our community,” Inspector Hunter says.

Four of the offenders are still outstanding, and a Police investigation is ongoing.

/NZ Police Public Release. View in full here.