Two youths have been arrested after allegedly stealing a vehicle and carrying out an aggravated robbery at a service station in Moerewa.
Around 6.50am on 22 July the alleged offenders arrived at a convenience store on Main Road, in two stolen vehicles.
"Two males entered wearing ski masks, and one was brandishing a machete," Mid North Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Mark Barratt says.
"They have threatened staff and a customer in the store, before stealing cigarettes and leaving in the stolen vehicles."
A short time later both vehicles were found abandoned in Kaikohe.
"Enquires lead our staff to find two males inside a property not far from where the vehicles had been dumped," Senior Sergeant Barratt says.
A bag containing the stolen cigarettes was located with the alleged offenders.
"This was good work by our staff in locating these two in a timely matter," Senior Sergeant Barratt says.
"In this instance no one has sustained injuries as a result of the brazen offending.
"We will continue to hold to account those who think this type of offending is acceptable."
A 13 and 14-year-old have since appeared in the Kaikohe Youth Court and will reappear on 31 July, charged with aggravated robbery and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
