Christchurch police say a number of serious incidents involving young offenders in the area yesterday are likely to be all linked.
Canterbury Commander Superintendent Lane Todd said the first incident occurred outside a Wigram gym where a vehicle was stolen shortly before 6pm.
He said four young people then threatened to take another person’s vehicle outside a store in Hornby.
“Just before 10pm, a 17-year-old man stepped off a bus on Mackworth St in Woolston and a vehicle described as a Toyota Aqua attempted to drive at him.
“One of the offenders then got out of the vehicle and confronted the victim and attempted to take his phone.”
Todd said approximately 45 minutes later on Skyhawk Rd in Wigram, a group of young people threatened a member of the public, before taking off with the victim’s cell phone and dog.
“They then tried to drive their vehicle toward the victim,” he said. The dog has since been located.
Shortly before 5am this morning, offenders smashed their way into a vape store on Stanmore Rd and fled as police arrived. Police did not initiate a pursuit due to the “dangerous manner” of driving.
Todd said early inquiries led police to believe that all of these incidents were linked, however work to fully establish this was ongoing.
“We now have a number of officers working to identify and locate the people involved,” Todd said.
“This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and we will ensure they are held accountable for their dangerous and reckless actions which has left a number of victims extremely shaken.”
Crime scene officers were carrying out forensic examinations at the relevant locations and of vehicles of interest that have been recovered.
Anyone with information of assistance to the investigation was asked to contact police online or by calling 105.