Under-age teenagers arrested for alleged liquor store burglary

Photo / File

Two under-age Waikato teenagers have been arrested for the alleged burglary of a Leamington liquor store this morning.

About 3.15am today, two brothers, aged 14 and 15, allegedly stashed their bikes near the liquor store on the corner of Shakespeare and Raleigh streets before using a heavy steel drain to smash the shop's large front window, police said.

They filled two wheelie bins with alcohol but had to dump them and run off when police arrived. The youngsters jumped fences and escaped briefly until police dogs tracked them to a nearby Campbell St house, police allege.

They were kept in custody overnight and will appear in the Hamilton Youth Court today on burglary charges.

Child Youth and Family had been advised of the incident.

Western Waikato Area Commander, Inspector Paul Carpenter said the involvement of children and young persons in dishonesty offending and having access to alcohol is a focus for police and partner agencies working to prevent such incidents.

"This morning's burglary and subsequent arrests highlight the need for parents and caregivers to be aware of their children's locations at all times and if they need help, to speak out," he said.

"Our focus is prevention first, not dealing with the aftermath.

"We work with our partner agencies to prevent situations like this from occurring but the first indications are in the homes themselves and we encourage parents, caregivers and guardians to seek help, advice and guidance at the earliest opportunity."

The incident comes after a video emerged yesterday which appeared to show a 9-year-old Hamilton boy drunk at a skatepark.

Police said he had been given alcohol by adults.