Three teenagers were taken into police custody following an alleged robbery at a Waitati retail premises yesterday morning (May 8).

Police responded to reports of a robbery at a retail premises on Waikouaiti-Waitati Road, near Harvey Street, Waitati around 10.20am.

It is alleged cigarettes and a cash till were stolen, before a fog cannon was activated.

The offenders fled the scene in a vehicle which had been reported stolen on Sunday (May 7), from a Gore address.

Police conducted inquiries yesterday at a number of retail stores, gaining CCTV footage, and following up leads regarding sightings of the vehicle.

They found the car about 2pm on Coast Road and observed from a distance, before attempting to spike the vehicle. 

During the operation, one of the offenders allegedly attempted to drive into one of the officers at the scene with the vehicle, but the officer was not hit.

The offenders fled on foot and were located on Palmerston-Waikouaiti Road.

The stolen items, including the car, were recovered.

The trio are expected to appear in the Youth Court in due course.