The three youths were carrying knives, but no one was hurt, police said.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Police say they have rounded up three knife-wielding offenders within hours of an aggravated robbery in Whangārei on Tuesday morning.

Detective Senior Sergeant John Clayton, of the Whangārei CIB, said cigarettes and confectionary were taken when a dairy in Morningside was robbed just before 7.30am.

All three offenders were carrying knives, but no one was injured.

They fled after a shop worker activated a fog cannon.

Clayton said police searched a house in the suburb of Raumanga, where they arrested three youths and recovered the missing stock.

“We’re continuing to hold offenders to account that are inflicting harm on our local businesses,” he said.

All three will face aggravated robbery charges in the Whangārei Youth Court.