13 April

Inspector Ross Grantham, Manawatū Area Commander:

Central District Police officers acted swiftly to deal with incidents involving youth offenders last night and in the early hours of this morning.

At around 8.15pm yesterday Police received a report of an aggravated robbery in the Square, Palmerston North. One person received minor injuries and the group of offenders fled on foot with stolen items.

Police conducting area enquiries located the group on Featherston Street but they evaded police. A police dog team responded quickly and tracked the offenders to Mersey Terrace where they were arrested while attempting to leave the area. Four youths aged between 11 and 15-years-old are due to appear in Palmerston North Youth Court on Tuesday 15 April, charged with Aggravated Robbery.

Then, in a seperate incident at around 1.30am today, a commercial premises in Foxton was burgled after a vehicle was used to gain entry to the premises. The offenders fled in a vehicle that was subsequently observed travelling at speed into Palmerston North.

Police deployed road spikes near Karere Road which were successful at bringing the vehicle to a stop on Pioneer Highway, where two youths aged 14 and 15-years old, and one 24-year-old man were arrested. The 15-year-old is due to appear in Palmerston North Youth Court on Tuesday 15 April, and the 24-year-old is due to appear in Palmerston North District Court on Tuesday 15 April, facing charges in relation to the matter.

I’m proud of the work that Police staff do all day, every day, and I hope these arrests give victims of crime some reassurance that Police will respond quickly to incidents and hold offenders to account.

We understand the frustration and fear that offending causes in our communities and we will continue to respond with focus and professionalism to keep our communities safe.

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