Machetes Seized and Four Arrested Following Sunnynook Liquor Store Theft
By Lions Roar News Crime Desk
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND (January 9, 2026) — A dramatic police operation spanning from the North Shore to the CBD has resulted in the arrest of four individuals, two of whom were armed with machetes. The arrests followed a shoplifting incident at a liquor store in Sunnynook that left a staff member injured.
Waitematā East Area Commander, Inspector Mike Rickards, confirmed that the group was tracked across the city after a confrontation at the store on Thursday evening.
🏪 The Confrontation in Sunnynook
The incident began at approximately 8:40 PM on Thursday when three people entered a liquor store in Sunnynook.
- The Theft: Two members of the group allegedly snatched several boxes of alcohol and attempted to flee.
- The Assault: When a store employee tried to intervene, he was confronted by the offenders and additional associates who had gathered nearby.
- Injuries: The employee sustained minor injuries during the scuffle, though they did not require hospitalization.
🚌 The Tracking and CBD Bust
Following the assault, the alleged offenders fled the scene by boarding a public bus. However, police were able to monitor their movements in real-time.
- The Takedown: The group was tracked to Britomart Square in the Auckland CBD. Police units moved in as the individuals exited the bus, taking four people into custody.
- The Weapons: During the arrests, officers discovered two machetes in the possession of the suspects.
- Public Safety: Inspector Rickards noted that the swift response ensured the armed individuals were apprehended before any further incidents occurred in the busy CBD area.
⚖️ Charges and Court Appearance
One member of the group, a 22-year-old male, has already been processed and charged with shoplifting.
- Court Date: He is scheduled to appear in the North Shore District Court today, Friday, January 9.
- Ongoing Enquiries: Charges for the other three individuals are currently being finalized as police investigate the possession of the machetes and the assault on the store employee.
