Two people are in custody following reports of two aggravated robberies and a carjacking before ending in a police pursuit involving multiple units and road spikes.
A section of Auckland's Southwestern Motorway was even closed during the operation, with police employing a roadblock to bring the alleged offenders to ahalt.
Tāmaki Makaurau Police Inspector Peter Raynes said about 11.40am they received a report of an aggravated robbery of a dairy in New Windsor, where items were stolen by two individuals who presented a weapon.
The pair left the scene in a stolen vehicle.
A few minutes later police received another report of an aggravated robbery at a superette in New Windsor, where a store worker was assaulted.
Police deployed road spikes but the vehicle continued to drive erratically.
"The vehicle was eventually brought to a stop by multiple police units as it attempted to enter the South-Western Motorway at the Walmsley Rd on-ramp," Raynes said.
Two people were arrested and taken into custody.
"Inquiries are ongoing and charges are likely," Raynes said.
Road authorities issued an alert at 12.45pm saying the southbound Walmsley Rd on-ramp had been blocked.
Traffic cameras showed a police vehicle parked across the on-ramp, stopping traffic, as two officers stand guard.
FINAL UPDATE 1:30PM The Walmsley Rd on-ramp is now fully open following an earlier incident. ^MF https://t.co/zUHn8nXRx2
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) March 30, 2021
Road cones had also been put down.
SH20 SOUTHWESTERN MWY - 12:45PM Due to a police incident, the southbound Walmsley Rd on-ramp is blocked. Motorists are advised to avoid the area & expect delays. More: https://t.co/XOezEKZjxy. ^MF pic.twitter.com/LkuJdzuFZo
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) March 29, 2021
Around 1.30pm the NZ Transport Agency said the area had been cleared.
