"Waikato Police urge parents and caregivers to mind their charges after Auckland teenagers arrested"

A group of Auckland teenagers face a raft of charges in the Hamilton Youth Court today following a crime spree in the Waikato over the weekend.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ross Patterson of the Hamilton CIB said Police used a collaborative approach in apprehending the group of five 14-year-old boys and investigating their offending.

"The group are alleged to have taken a car in Auckland on Saturday afternoon and travelled down to Hamilton. They have then stolen a number of cars and taken them back to Auckland taking property from these vehicles in the process.

"Members of one of our Public Safety Teams tried to stop the group in one of the vehicles in Hamilton as it headed north on Saturday night but the driver refused to stop and fled off at speed."

Mr Patterson said given the offending driver's speed the pursuit was abandoned but the car was seen by a Huntly unit a short time later that followed it until the offenders ran out of petrol.

"Additional staff were brought in and the group were apprehended without incident. Three of the group were placed in secure care while two were released to their parents. All five will appear in the Hamilton Youth Court today.

"All five of the group are facing seven charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, four thefts ex car charges and one of attempted unlawful taking of a motor vehicle. One boy also faces reckless driving and failing to stop charges."

Mr Patterson said further investigations are continuing and Police haven't ruled out further charges.

"At this point Police would like to reiterate the need for parents, guardians and caregivers to be aware of where your charges are at all times and if you need help to seek it before young people come to the attention of Police."

ENDS

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