Please attribute to Detective Inspector Scott Beard, Auckland City Police:
Auckland Police have arrested and charged five people, including four teenagers, following a serious incident overnight where two women were kidnapped.
The incident started on Bowen Avenue in Central Auckland around 10pm where the victims confronted the five offenders allegedly attempting to break into their car.
They were assaulted and then forced to comply with orders and made to walk around with the offenders while they allegedly looked for a vehicle to steal.
They were then forced into the boot of a stolen Mazda Demio vehicle and driven to South Auckland.
Unaware of the earlier kidnapping or the vehicle having been stolen, a Counties Manukau Police unit has observed the vehicle travelling in convoy with another car and attempted to stop them. Both vehicles failed to stop. The stolen Mazda Demio continued onto the Southern Motorway and then exited at Ramarama and drove off the side of a bridge where the vehicle went down an approximately five metre bank.
The two victims were located in the boot with moderate injuries and were taken to Middlemore Hospital for treatment.
Three offenders were located at the scene and taken into custody.
The Police Eagle helicopter has located the second vehicle, now known to be stolen, at an address in Manurewa and a further two people were arrested in relation to this incident.
The five people have been charged with the following:
20 year old female charged with kidnapping x 2, aggravated robbery x 2, unlawful interference of motor vehicle, and unlawful taking a motor vehicle x 2.
15 year old male charged with kidnapping x 2, aggravated robbery x 2, unlawful interference of motor vehicle, unlawful taking a motor vehicle x 2, and dangerous driving causing injury x 2
15 year old male charged with, kidnapping x 2, aggravated robbery x 2, unlawful interference of motor vehicle, and unlawful taking a motor vehicle x 2.
14 year old Female charged with kidnapping x 2, aggravated robbery x 2, unlawful interference of motor vehicle, and unlawful taking a motor vehicle x 2.
13 year old female will be referred to Youth Aid.
They will be appearing in the Auckland Youth Court on Saturday 5 May 2018.
Detective Inspector Scott Beard says this is really seriously offending and Police are focused on ensuring the victims and their families get the support they need following this traumatic incident.
As this matter is before the courts, we are unable to comment any further.
ENDS
Shelley Nahr/NZ Police