Teenagers forced an Auckland grandmother out of a car before stealing it with a three-year-old girl inside.

The two teens, aged 13 and 15, then drove through suburban Auckland streets with the toddler in the back, chased by police before crashing the car.

The terrifying ordeal for the Auckland family began outside a Countdown supermarket in Mount Roskill around 7pm on Tuesday.

CHRISTEL YARDLEY / FAIRFAX NZ Police pursued two youths who stole a car with a three-year-old inside.

The grandmother was supervising the girl and her brother in the car while their parents went to the supermarket.

The teens approached the car and forced the grandmother her grandson out, before driving off with the three-year-old still inside.

Auckland City Acting District Commander Jill Rogers said immediate assistance from the public had helped police quickly track the movement of the stolen vehicle.

Pursued by police on the ground and the Eagle helicopter in the air, the youths crashed the stolen car within blocks of the supermarket then ran off.

Officers tracked them across nearby properties where they were finally arrested.

They appeared in court on Wednesday morning charged with kidnapping, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, wilful damage and assault with intent to rob.



The three-year-old was unharmed, and was back with her family within minutes.

Her parents said people within the supermarket car park and other passersby offered "incredible" support as the incident unfolded.

"We are just so grateful to the police and to the public who helped us, there were car drivers who got out and followed these men and we are just so relieved to have our daughter back," they said.

The family is now being assisted by Victim Support.

Inspector Rogers said police were also grateful for the public's help, which had allowed them to track and catch the teens so quickly without harm to the toddler.

"This was a terrifying ordeal for the family and they too have expressed their gratitude for the efforts of the public in helping reunite their daughter with them so quickly," she said.

"This incident could have had a much more disastrous outcome if it hadn't been for the quick thinking actions of the members of the public who assisted in directing Police and we are very grateful for everyone's efforts."