Teen joy-riders drag elderly woman out of car

The elderly woman was car-jacked by four people. Photo / Supplied via police

An elderly woman was car-jacked by four teenagers as she carried out deliveries in Hamilton, in one of two car thefts the group were involved in yesterday.

The woman was dragged out of her car after she was asked for the time by the group as she drove along Avalon Dr, Nawton, about 5.40am.

Detective Sergeant Nick O'Brien of the Hamilton CIB said that after pulling her out of her vehicle, the group of young men and women sped off along Avalon Dr.

They then drove to Raglan where another woman had her vehicle stolen, he said.

"The offenders have arrived and noticed a woman leave the keys in her car when she parked her Skoda Octavia on the main street and went into a bank.

"Two of the offenders got out of the Toyota and into the Skoda and both cars headed back to Hamilton via State Highway 23, however they were intercepted by police. After a short pursuit both cars were stopped and the offenders apprehended."

Mr O'Brien said one male and one female appeared in the Hamilton Youth Court yesterday in connection with the thefts while an older female will appear in the district court today.

"A fourth female will appear in the district court next week. While it was pretty good to be able to return the first victim's car to her relatively unscathed we have some concerns we want to raise with the parents of the four teenagers around their access to alcohol and supervision.

"The other issue is we're asking drivers to avoid leaving their cars unlocked with the keys in them. Our message around valuables in cars, and the vehicles themselves, is lock them or lose them."