“While the shopkeeper was not physically injured, the incident was understandably distressing.”
He said police spotted the vehicle with help from the police Eagle helicopter.
The vehicle was monitored as it travelled through Auckland on the motorway network, reaching Mt Roskill before being ditched.
“During the incident, the offenders abandoned their vehicle and stole another vehicle from members of the public,” Hayward said.
The two victims of the vehicle theft were not injured, although he said they remained shaken by the experience and were being supported by police.
“Police subsequently tracked the vehicle as it travelled into the Waikato district, where it came to a stop near Sutherlands Lane in Hunty shortly before 8am.
“All three occupants were taken into custody, and they are due to appear in Manukau District Court on Monday facing a number of charges,” Hayward said.
He said police acknowledged the impact of the offending on the victims and thanked members of the public affected by the incident for their co-operation.
As the matter is now before the court, police are unable to comment further.
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