Youth arrested after aggravated assault

Auckland Police say three young people have been apprehended after a shoplifting event became violent.

Police say they responded to the Newmarket area on Tuesday night after reports of a shoplifting at a hobby store on Broadway, in which a staff member suffered a stab wound.

“At around 5.40pm, three young males allegedly stole from the business and fled on foot,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Matt Bunce, of Auckland City Police CIB, of the incident on January 20.

“An employee from the store pursued this group, managing to stop one of these males on Nuffield Street when a knife was produced.”

Bunce says the employee suffered a moderate stab wound, and he was later taken to Auckland City Hospital with moderate injuries.

Newmarket Security arrived on scene, holding the young male and removing the knife from his possession, he says.

Police then took the 16-year-old Hamilton-based male into custody, charging him with aggravated wounding and shoplifting.

“The other two young males were tracked to nearby Newmarket Train Station and were apprehended,” Bunce says.

The pair, both aged 13, were spoken with by police and are being referred to Youth Aid.

“We’re appalled at the unnecessary level of violence that was inflicted on this staff member last night,” says Bunce.

“Police acknowledge the quick actions of Newmarket Security staff and members of the public who quickly swung into action as our staff were responding to the scene.

“This could have had a very different outcome, and the victim is recovering from his injuries in hospital.”

The 16-year-old arrested is due to appear in the Auckland Youth Court on January 26, police say.