Four youths have been arrested following a home invasion, a series of commercial burglaries, and an incident in which shots were reportedly fired at police in the Waikato District early this morning.

One person was injured during the home invasion and the occupants are “understandably shaken”, say police.

The incident comes less than 48 hours since a Hamilton dairy worker had two fingers severed in a harrowing machete attack early on Saturday morning.

The robbery took place at Irvine St Dairy as the worker was opening for business at 7.30am. The four masked offenders, one of whom was armed with a machete, were yesterday still being hunted by police.

Media have been told to prepare for a press conference at which Waikato District Commander Superintendent Bruce Bird will speak about the incidents.

Authorities are investigating several burglaries - including one ram raid incident - in parts of the district in the early hours of this morning.

Police on Bader St, Hamilton after a series of robberies in Waikato overnight. Photo / Mike Scott December 19 2022

The first incident was reported shortly before 2am at a commercial property on Bryant Rd, in St Andrews, in Hamilton.

Just before 4am, a burglary at the Noel Leeming store on Duke St, in Cambridge, was reported to authorities.

A third incident at liquor store was reported about half an hour later on Sloane St, in Te Awamutu.

Four youths have been arrested and will be charged with burglary in connection with the Cambridge and Te Awamutu incidents.

The Noel Leeming store in Cambridge was one of a number of businesses targeted by thieves overnight. Photo / Mike Scott

“The youths fled the Sloane St, Te Awamutu address in two vehicles and subsequently stole a vehicle from homeowners in Gillard Rd, after one of their vehicles was disabled,” Bird said.

”Road spikes were deployed and the stolen vehicle was spiked and brought to a stop, following which the offenders fled on foot. A police dog team apprehended four youths in the Bader St area.

”It’s believed that shots were fired towards police scene guards at the Bader St address where the arrested youths were arrested, although this report is yet to be substantiated.”

Police are providing support to the homeowners whose house was entered and car stolen.

They are understandably shaken, and one has minor injuries.”

Bird said police inquiries are ongoing to locate other offenders involved in this incident. It’s believed that 10 youths were involved in the burglary.

“Police understand that the incidents overnight have been alarming and unsettling to our community, and we are working hard to hold the offenders accountable.”

“The community have had enough, we’ve had enough, and we want people to be safe and feel safe.”

Police were stepping up patrols in retail areas, tasking additional staff to the investigation and working with partners agencies to address the root causes of youth offending.

”Youth offending is an all-of-community issue and it needs an all-of-community response. Police will continue to play our part, and we know that our partners are working hard to play their part.”

Cambridge raid

At the Noel Leeming store, orange cones had been put out front to cordon off the area.

The entrance door glass panels had been smashed broken and debris - including what looked to be a beaded bracelet - lay on the ground just outside.

Inside the store, cabinets could be seen toppled over and boxed items and other debris were on the flood.

Despite the big clean up ahead of them, staff still turned up for a day of work, with a sign outside saying: “Yes. We are open. Please enter around the back.”