Hamilton residents praised after helping with arrests

Photo / File

Residents who helped with the arrest of teenage offenders yesterday have been praised by police in Hamilton.

Members of the public assisted police in the arrest of three teens and the identification of a fourth in two separate incidents yesterday.

In the first, a Clarkin Rd resident noticed two teenage males acting suspiciously and phoned 111, passing on an accurate description of the teenagers.

Police found two males matching the descriptions. The pair fled and a constable chased down one on foot and arrested him but the second offender stole a bike and was still being sought.

Senior Sergeant Freda Grace said a 17-year-old man had been charged with the burglary of a Clarkin Rd home thanks to the resident's assistance.

In a second incident yesterday, another member of the public called police about a vehicle being driven suspiciously in Dinsdale.

The vehicle's description was given to police who found the car. It had been stolen from an east Hamilton home two days earlier.

Two males, aged 17 and 19, were arrested.

Ms Grace acknowledged the actions of the residents, saying it first showed the value of people taking ownership of their neighbourhoods.

"Yesterday's arrests highlight the benefits of the police and community working together to prevent crime," she said.