An 18-year-old and three youths have been arrested following a burglary at a liquor store in the Auckland suburb of Point Chevalier on Tuesday morning.
Police said four people broke into Point Chev Organic Wines on Point Chevalier Road at 4:30am.
It’s understood they stole several items from the store before leaving the area in a vehicle.
Police found the vehicle abandoned nearby on Huia Road and the alleged thieves fled in a second car.
This vehicle was found abandoned by police on Savoy Road in Glen Eden.
"Four people were subsequently located a short distance away and arrested," a police spokesperson said.
"Police have since recovered some of those items believed to be taken and have returned them to the owner."
Photos from the scene show beer cans and wine bottles smashed all over the floor throughout the store while the entrance to the shop is destroyed with glass shattered on the footpath.
Auckland City West Area prevention manager, inspector Wayne Kitcher said they hope the arrest brings some reassurance to the community.
"[It's] a reminder that police are determined to locate those responsible for these brazen activities and hold them to account," Kitcher said.
Kitcher said an 18-year-old male will appear in the Auckland District Court in the coming days, while three people have been referred to Youth Aid.
