A 14-year-old boy has been charged with armed robbery after allegedly threatening staff and customers with a knife at a bottle shop in Burnie on Monday afternoon.
Police were called to BWS Shorewell Park on Wiseman Street at around 1:30pm after the teenager allegedly entered the store and made threats.
He reportedly left soon after but returned with several others, who allegedly damaged the shop before the group fled in a vehicle.
Police say the car was then used to evade officers before the group was tracked to a Shorewell Park address, where five people were arrested at about 3pm.
The 14-year-old has been charged with armed robbery, destroying property, common assault and possessing a dangerous article.
A second 14-year-old has been charged with destroying property, driving while unlicensed and stealing.
A 19-year-old Smithton man and a 21-year-old Shorewell Park man were also charged with destroying property.
The bottle shop remained closed on Tuesday morning, with a sign on the door stating it would not reopen until further notice.
Smashed windows could still be seen at the premises.
Police said no one was physically injured during the incident.
Investigators are appealing for anyone who saw a white Mitsubishi Triton with registration C31MR driving in the Shorewell Park or Ridgley areas on Monday afternoon to come forward.
Information can be provided to Burnie CIB on 131 444 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
