Four teenagers have been caught by police dog teams in Ōtara after two alleged armed robberies in Auckland followed by a dramatic chase.

Their crime spree, on the first day of the school holidays, began at a commercial premises in Manurewa’s Mahia Rd about 9.20am.

“The four people entered the shop armed with weapons, however left with nothing when a fog cannon and panic alarm were triggered,” said Inspector Jason Homan.

Less than an hour later and about 40km north-west, they hit the Kiwi Superette on the corner of Henderson Valley Rd and Pine Ave and Pine Ave in West Auckland.

“They jumped the counter while the shopkeepers were in a back room, stealing cigarettes,” Homan said.

The owner of the shop told the Herald four teenagers aged about 15 or 16 smashed through the wire and Perspex of the counter. He did not have time to activate the fog cannon to foil the robbers, but it was eventually triggered. The owner was not injured.

It is not the first time the dairy has been targeted by young robbers. Photo / Dean Purcell

They fled the scene after stealing cigarettes. Homan said CCTV cameras captured their car on Great North Rd in Glen Eden and from this point the police Eagle helicopter was able to track the vehicle.

“Police units on the ground attempted to use road spikes to stop the vehicle but this was unsuccessful,” Homan said.

They fled south towards Manukau on the motorway before taking the exit at Puhini Rd.

The four young men ended up at Ngāti Ōtara Park, where they abandoned their vehicle.

Police dog units managed to track and apprehend them,” Homan said.

“Charges are being considered.”

Two years ago, the Kiwi Superette was robbed by three youths who were arrested after a police chase across West Auckland. He did not have time to activate the fog cannon but said he was not injured in the robbery. The owner declined to comment further.

Police have been approached for further comment on whether any of the robbers have been apprehended.

Officers remained at the scene about noon.

Two years ago, the dairy was robbed by three youths who were arrested after a dramatic police chase across West Auckland.