A crime spree which involved a stolen car, an armed robbery and a petrol-drive off has ended with police arresting five youths.

The youths were arrested following a 'number of incidents in Hamilton on Saturday afternoon”, says police.

Five youths allegedly stole a Volkswagen Golf around 11.15am from an address in Fairfield, Hamilton, before driving to a dairy on Studholme Street in Morrinsville.

Four of the youths entered the dairy, one allegedly armed with a knife, but have fled without taking anything, says acting Detective Sergeant Harry Hodgson.

The occupants of the dairy were not injured.

A short time later the occupants of the car allegedly filled up the vehicle at Mobil Petrol Station on the corner of State Highway 1 and Karapiro Road, driving off without paying.

The victims in both incidents immediately notified Police, providing a description of the vehicle involved.

'A unit spotted the vehicle on State Highway 1 near Hicks Road and attempted to stop it, knowing it was stolen and believed to be involved in the two earlier incidents,” says Harry.

'The vehicle failed to stop for Police and continued to drive along State Highway 1 but came to a stop on the Waikato Expressway, north of Duncan Road.

'We want to thank the public for providing Police with information to assist in apprehending those involved.

'The youths involved have not only put themselves at risk but also members of our community.”

Five youths were arrested and will appear in the Hamilton Youth Court today.