Auckland crime: Four arrested after fleeing thieves smash police car, investigation launched after Kingsland dairy ram raid

Four people have been arrested following a burglary and fleeing driver incident at an Auckland electronics store overnight.

Police said in a statement the burglary at Noel Leeming in Silverdale, north of the city, occurred at around 1am on Monday. 

Police said as they approached the scene, two vehicles left the area.

Waitematā District commander superintendent Naila Hassan said the Eagle helicopter was deployed and followed the occupants of one of the cars as it transferred the stolen goods into a third vehicle.

"Ground staff were directed to this location and attempted to block this third vehicle, but it rammed two of our vehicles before fleeing," Hassan said. 

"No pursuit has been initiated. Instead, Eagle continued to provide observations of this vehicle as it entered the motorway network on the wrong side of the road." 

Noel Leeming in Silverdale. Photo credit: Newshub
Noel Leeming in Silverdale. Photo credit: Newshub

Police said the vehicle then travelled across the Harbour Bridge and exited on Curran Street where spikes were successfully deployed.

"During this time, a police vehicle heading to the area has been involved in a single-vehicle crash on Jervois Road," Hassan said.

"Fortunately, both staff did not sustain serious injuries but were taken to hospital for observations. Police are ensuring there is welfare in support for the staff involved in this."

The fleeing vehicle continued through Ponsonby and entered the Northwestern motorway where the Eagle helicopter continued to follow the car, police said.  

"For an extended period of time, the vehicle has been driven around the Northwestern motorway in a dangerous manner," Hassan said. 

Police then successfully deployed spikes again near Westgate but the vehicle continued and entered the motorway again.

Photo credit: Newshub

But shortly afterwards, the vehicle has been blocked by police and the matter was brought to an end.

Footage from the scene shows a blue Mazda wedged between two patrol cars on the Lincoln Road off-ramp in Henderson.

Police said they swiftly took the four occupants into custody, including the 20-year-old driver with the other three people arrested aged between 15 and 17.

"Police are incredibly disappointed by the actions and choices of this group. These offenders have demonstrated a complete disregard for every other person who may have been using the road at this time," Hassan said.

"It is sheer luck the public and the offenders themselves were not seriously injured as a result of this reckless driving behaviour."

Police said their enquiries are continuing into this incident, and they expect to lay a number of charges as a result of what has occurred." 

Kingsland dairy ram raid

Meanwhile, police are investigating after a ram raid at a dairy in the Auckland suburb of Kingsland. 

Police told Newshub in a statement that the ram raid occurred on New North Road shortly before 3am.  

Kingsland dairy ram raided. Photo credit: Newshub

In the statement, police said the offenders left a stolen vehicle at the scene before leaving in a second car.

Footage from the scene shows the entrance of the Kingsland dairy smashed in leaving glass shattered

Police said enquiries into the ram raid are ongoing and we will be following up with the store’s owners. 

"Anyone with information can contact Police on 105 quoting the file number 220516/5921."

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