Three arrested after Waikato store robbed, shopkeeper assaulted

Three people have been arrested following an aggravated robbery in the Waikato region on Saturday morning.

Police were called to a store on George Street in Tuakau about 6.10am after three offenders allegedly entered the premises, threatened staff with weapons and assaulted a shopkeeper.

They stole a quantity of items before fleeing in a vehicle, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward said.

Police quickly located the vehicle with help from the Eagle helicopter and monitored its movements as it travelled through Auckland, he said.

The offenders later abandoned the vehicle and stole another from members of the public.

All three occupants were arrested near Huntly and are due to appear in Manukau District Court on Monday facing several charges.

Police said although the victims involved in the theft were not injured, they remained shaken by the experience.