Teens in pool standoff prompt police plea after scooter antics
by Laine Priestley · Otago Daily Times Online NewsPolice want the Dunedin public to report the antics of two teenage girls who have allegedly been on a week-long chaos campaign around the city.
In their latest escapades, the 13-year-old girls stole an e-scooter and rode it around a city mall, Acting Senior Sergeant Iain Notman said.
The pair have made headlines twice already in the past few weeks for having a 45-minute stand off with police after jumping into the water at Moana Pool fully-clothed last Thursday, and for verbally abusing a mother and her teenage son in Starbucks on Saturday.
On Wednesday at 4pm, police were called on the pair after they stole an e-scooter and started whizzing around the Meridian Mall.
They had already been trespassed from the mall’s premises due to previous incidents.
Police arrested the pair who were handed over to their parents, Snr Sgt Notman said.
‘‘Police are interested to hear from anybody who sees similar behaviour around town from these two girls.’’
This is not the first time the pair have been connected with a stolen e-scooter.
Last Thursday at 4pm, the girls allegedly committed a botched burglary at a store in George St.
They attempted to drive two e-scooters from the store despite the store employees trying to stop them.
Store staff managed to get one of the girls out of the store, and while they were busy with her, the second teenager tried to take another scooter.
Ultimately, they failed, and while staff members were attempting to stop them, they began pushed and pulled at the door, and fled on foot.
They were not located until 8pm that night, when the pair jumped into the leisure pool at Moana Pool fully clothed and refused to get out.
Police attempted to negotiate with the girls for 45 minutes.
Eventually, one of the girl’s parents arrived, however, the teenager was abusive to them.
After 45 minutes, they headed to the change rooms, however, were abusive towards officers and were arrested before being released into their parent’s custody.
They were followed up with by Youth Aid.
A few days later the pair entered Starbucks in George St and began harassing a teenage boy who was out with his mother.
The mother tried to defuse the situation but was also verbally abused by the pair.
They fled before police arrived; however, the entire incident was filmed and posted to social media.
Police recognised the pair from the video and sent Youth aid to again speak with the pair.
Anyone who has had any unpleasant dealings with the pair are encouraged to report it to police, Snr Sgt Notman said.