An afternoon of offending ended with a night in Police custody for three alleged burglars who targeted numerous East Auckland homes.
Around 12.35pm yesterday, Police received a report of suspicious activity at a Wai O Taiki Bay property.
Inspector Charles Ip, Auckland City East Area Prevention Manager, says a neighbour observed three males running through a property.
“The quick-thinking informant managed to snap footage of the group as they fled.
“The homeowners later confirmed their property had been broken into and items stolen.”
Undeterred by their close call, the group’s offending continued.
Between 1.30pm and 2.12pm, Police received three reports of burglaries in the Glen Innes and Glendowie areas. At all three addresses, multiple suspects were reported to be involved.
“Auckland City East staff carried out enquiries in the area – including the revision of CCTV – while Scenes of Crime Officers conducted scene examinations.
“By 8.30pm, a positive visual identification of one of the suspects was made. Officers attended the male’s address where he was located and taken into custody,” Inspector Ip says.
Further enquiries identified two other suspects, and search warrants were executed at two Glen Innes addresses. Both males were taken into custody.
Enquiries into the location of the stolen property is continuing.
“Unfortunately, these were not the only reports of burglary in this neighbourhood, with a 34-year-old male also facing charges for his alleged offending earlier in the day.
“Police are pleased to be able to hold all of these offenders to account, but this is a timely remind that keeping our communities safe takes work from everyone.
“If you see any suspicious activity in your neighbourhood, call Police on 111 if it’s happening now or 105 after the fact,” Inspector Ip says.
Three males, aged 15, 16 and 18 were charged with four counts of burglary.
They are appearing at Auckland District Court and Auckland Youth Court today.
