Damage done to the Sunflour cafe in Orewa. Photo: Sunflour / supplied
Five people linked to the Headhunters have been arrested over the arson and ram raids of businesses in a small seaside village north of Auckland.
Police executed a series of search warrants across the region as part an investigation into the attacks in Ōrewa.
Those arrested were aged 15 to 42, with 23 charges laid against them.
Waitematā North Area Commander, Inspector John Thornley said Operation Governor focused on offending between September and early November.
It was launched after a deliberately lit fire at Ōrewa's Sunflour Cafe left the interior of the building destroyed.
Several fire crews responded to the blaze shortly before 11.30pm on 1 November.
It was the latest in a series of businesses targeted on the main strip of the coastal town, going back to September.
"Our CIB staff have been working hard to identify those responsible for this spree of offending," Inspector Thornley said.
"Those enquiries have led us to believe that these events are linked, and we have laid charges as a result."
Police are continuing to seek one offender who is still outstanding, Inspector Thornley said.
The alleged offenders are expected in North Shore District Court on Wednesday.
Inspector Thornley said the arrests were a great outcome for the community.
"It's always concerning in such a tight knit community when a series of confronting events like this happen in such a short space of time," he said.
"Police will continue to prosecute those who seem to think this sort of behaviour is acceptable."
We acknowledge those who have assisted our enquiries in recent weeks, he said.
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