Five people have been arrested following an aggravated robbery at a Waikato liquor store last night.
The Police Eagle helicopter tracked the suspects on Auckland’s Southern Motorway before the arrests were made.
Four masked people entered the premises on Market St, Pokeno, at around 7.40pm and assaulted two staff members, a police spokesperson said.
“The staff members at the liquor store received minor to moderate injuries and were treated by ambulance staff at the scene.”
The offenders then allegedly stole alcohol, cigarettes and the cash till before leaving at speed in a stolen car.
Police saw the stolen car heading north on the Southern Motorway near Takanini a short time after the robbery, the spokesperson said.
Exited the motorway
“The Police helicopter Eagle was able to monitor the car as it continued north and exited the motorway at Ellerslie/Panmure.”
The car continued to Penrose where the four offenders were seen abandoning the vehicle and transferring items to a second car which then drove away.
“Police units stopped that car a short time later and took the four offenders from the aggravated robbery into custody, as well as the driver of the second car.”
All five arrested have been charged with aggravated robbery.
Two males aged 16 and 17 and a 17-year-old female will appear in Manukau Youth Court, while a 20-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman will appear in Manukau District Court.
St John said it was notified of an incident in Pokeno and responded with one ambulance. A spokesperson said: “Our crew assessed and treated one patient in a minor condition at the scene and one patient in a moderate condition who was transported to Middlemore hospital.”