Four teenage youths have been arrested and a substantial quantity of stolen cigarettes have been recovered after two armed holdups in south Auckland yesterday.
Police said they were called out when two offenders, one armed with a pistol, robbed the Hillside Superette in Papatoetoe at 1.30pm. A half an hour later the Redhill Superette in Papakura, south of Papatoetoe, was held robbed.
The robbers sped off from both stores in a black Mazda car.
Several police units, including the dog unit, responded and within a few minutes the Mazda was sighted on Mill Road in Papakura and pursued.
The car stopped briefly and three occupants got out and ran on to nearby properties. The car continued into Manurewa where it stopped and the driver and a passenger fled.
One was caught by police dogs with help from the public.
Three more were caught after police set up cordons.
The four, aged between 13 and 17, were interviewed by police and two 13 year-olds were later released into their parents' care and referred to Youth Aid.
Two, aged 15 and 17, were kept overnight in custody and were due in the Manukau District Youth Court today charged with aggravated robbery.
Police said they recovered the gun used in both robberies and a significant amount of cigarettes.
They said they also had positive leads on two more teenagers thought to have been to have been involved.
