Two people are in custody after allegedly carrying out two aggravated robberies in Auckland on Tuesday before fleeing police at high-speed.
Multiple police units were called in to respond to the alleged offenders, who fled police, "carrying out dangerous manoeuvres and frequently driving on the wrong side of the road".
According to Inspector Peter Raynes, police first responded at about 11:40am when officers received a report of an aggravated robbery at a New Windsor dairy. Items were allegedly stolen by two individuals who presented a weapon before leaving the scene in a stolen vehicle.
"A few minutes later police received another report of an aggravated robbery at a superette in New Windsor, where a store worker was assaulted," Insp Raynes said. "Shortly after this incident, a person was at the McDonald’s on Stoddard Rd, Mt Roskill when they were pulled out of their vehicle by the two offenders who stole the victim’s car."
Insp Raynes says the stolen vehicle was monitored by the Eagle helicopter "travelling at high speed, carrying out dangerous manoeuvres and frequently driving on the wrong side of the road".
The vehicle wouldn't stop for police and despite a tyre deflation device being deployed, it continued to drive "erratically".
However, it was eventually stopped by "multiple police units" as it tried to enter the south-western motorway at the Walmsley Rd on-ramp.
The two individuals have now been arrested and taken into custody. Insp Raynes says enquiries are underway and charges are likely.
The Walmsley Rd on-ramp was briefly closed as officers responded to the incident.
At about 12:50pm, a New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) traffic camera showed a police vehicle parked across the southbound Walmsley Rd on-ramp, blocking the entry to the south-western motorway.
Two officers could be seen at the scene, with one walking to the side of the road near a group of trees. Road cones were placed down.
"Due to a police incident, the on-ramp is blocked. Motorists are advised to avoid the area or to expect delays," the NZTA said.
The on-ramp reopened at about 1:30pm.
