Five people have been arrested following an aggravated burglary in Albany on Friday.

About 11.20am, five people entered a commercial premises on The Avenue and were taking items when an altercation broke out. The owner of the store was assaulted, received minor injuries.

The offenders fled the premises in a vehicle, but they were located by quick-thinking Police near the intersection of Queen Street and Coatesville-Riverhead Highway.

By 12pm, all five were arrested.

Four young men, aged 17, 18, 18 and 21 have been charged with shoplifting. A 21-year-old Manukau man has been charged with aggravated assault and shoplifting.

The 17-year-old will be referred to Youth Aid, with the other four due to appear in the North Shore District Court on Monday.

Further Police work has linked three of the offenders to an instance of shoplifting from a commercial premises in Riverhead, which happened near the end of October. Two males have been charged in relation to this, with a third person referred to Youth Aid.

Waitematā East Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Caroline Miles said staff from PST, Crime Squad, CIB, and the Tactical Crime Unit worked together to track and stop the offenders.

“It’s a great feeling knowing the alleged offenders have been caught, especially in less than an hour.

“We have offered support to the victim, who was confronted by a scenario that no person should ever have to deal with. We’re just grateful that he is able to recover at home and be with his family."

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