Four youths have been arrested and police are trying to locate up to six other offenders after a string of burglaries in Waikato overnight.
Police have also said there has been a report of shots being fired towards police scene guards at an address where the youths were arrested. But no clear link has yet been established between whoever shot at police from a car and those who were arrested.
A ram-raid burglary was reported at 1:53am at a property on Sandwich Rd, St Andrews, followed by a burglary at Duke St, Cambridge at 3:49am, and a burglary at Sloane St, Te Awamutu at 4:42am.
At the Cambridge incident, the offenders used a baseball bat to smash a security guard's car. In Te Awamutu, they threw bottles at a guard.
Waikato District Commander Superintendent Bruce Bird said on Monday afternoon it's suspected the Cambridge and Te Awamutu incidents are linked, while police are looking into further links to other offending.
"With regard to the incidents in Cambridge and Te Awamutu, four youths have been arrested and will be charged with burglary," he said.
"The youths fled the Sloane Street, Te Awamutu address in two vehicles and subsequently stole a vehicle from homeowners in Gillard Road, after one of their vehicles was disabled.
"Road spikes were deployed and the stolen vehicle was spiked and brought to a stop, following which the offenders fled on foot."
A police dog team then apprehended the four youths in the Bader St area. There are links between the youth and gangs.
"It's believed that shots were fired towards Police scene guards at the Bader Street address where the arrested youths were arrested, although this report is yet to be substantiated."
Bird said the officers were shot at from a car, however no link has been made yet between the shooter and those arrested.
Police didn't return fire as they weren't armed. However, officers from across Waikato are now armed. Bird said it could be assumed that the offenders still on the loose are arming themselves.
Police are now trying to locate other offenders involved in the incident. It's believed 10 youths were involved in the burglary.
"Police are providing support to the homeowners whose house was entered and car stolen.
"They are understandably shaken, and one has minor injuries.
"Police understand that the incidents overnight have been alarming and unsettling to our community, and we are working hard to hold the offenders accountable.
"The community have had enough, we've had enough, and we want people to be safe and feel safe.
"We will be stepping up patrols in retail areas, tasking additional staff to the investigation effort and working with our partners to address the root causes of youth offending."
He said youth offending is an all-of-community issue and it needs an all-of-community response.
"Police will continue to play our part, and we know that our partners are working hard to play their part.
"If you have any information that could assist please contact Police on 105 or online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105, using 'Update My Report' referencing event number P052987416.
"Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
