Two people have been arrested after a group of youths went on an alleged crime spree in Waikato early on Monday.
Police were first called to a commercial premises on Ward St in Hamilton at around 12.30am, where a ram-raid had been reported.
The alleged offenders managed to flee the scene before police arrived. The vehicle involved had been reported stolen.
Just after 1am, police received a report of a group of youths — matching the description of those involved in the ram-raid — trying to break into cars about 35km away on Acacia Ave in Kihikihi.
The group managed to get into one of the vehicles and were spotted travelling by a police unit on Mahoe St in Hamilton just before 1.15am.
Police signalled for the vehicle to stop, but it failed to do so.
“A pursuit was initiated but abandoned within a minute due to the manner of driving,” police said.
Just before 1.30am, a second commercial premises was then broken into, and a number of the store’s items were taken.
“The alleged offenders had once again fled from the scene before Police arrived.”
Officers were then called to Opal Place in Chartwell at around 3.30am, where a vehicle that had been reported stolen was on fire.
“It is believed that this was one of the vehicles the group of youths had stolen,” police said.
At around midday on Monday, police executed two searches, where they recovered stolen property and arrested two suspects.
Detective Senior Sergeant Ian Foster said police had identified a number of other young people they believe were involved.
“Thankfully, nobody was injured during this string of events, but a lot of damage was done to stores and vehicles belonging to members of the public,” he said.
“This offending has a real impact on people’s lives and livelihoods, and we would like to hear from anyone who can assist our investigation.”
Foster asked anyone with information to call 105.