A group fleeing the scene of an attempted robbery at a central Auckland superette have also failed to give Police the slip.
Just before 9pm, two males covering their faces with balaclavas entered the store on Karangahape Road.
"These offenders entered the store, verbally abusing the shopkeeper," Auckland Central Area Commander, Inspector Grae Anderson says.
"One of these males has jumped onto the counter, resulting in both offenders being chased out of the store by the shopkeeper."
Both males ran to a waiting stolen vehicle which fled from the area.
Police units were dispatched to the incident.
"This vehicle was later detected in the Western Springs area, with a Police camera operator tracking its movements until the Police Eagle helicopter got overhead," Inspector Anderson says.
The vehicle was seen stopping near St Lukes, with two males exiting before it drove off again.
"The two 17-year-olds were soon located by Police units and arrested, one of which was carrying a machete," Inspector Anderson says.
Meanwhile, Eagle continued to track the stolen vehicle heading west on the northwestern motorway (SH16).
Inspector Anderson says the vehicle was stopped by Police on Te Atatū Road a short time later and two males, aged 12 and 13, were taken into custody without further incident.
Following further enquiries by Police, the two males have been referred to Youth Aid.
The two 17-year-olds arrested in St Lukes have been jointly charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
One of the pair has been charged with possessing an offensive weapon. They will appear in the Auckland Youth Court today.
"I would like to acknowledge all the Police staff involved in responding to last night's incident, resulting in these apprehensions," Inspector Anderson says.
