Police have an alleged prolific shoplifter in the bag after a string of offences across Counties Manukau, including one incident involving a firearm.
The 34-year-old man will face court this week on 12 shoplifting charges.
He also faces a charge of presenting a firearm at a person during an alleged incident at a Highland Park supermarket on 6 January 2023.
Locating the man was a top priority for Sergeant Phill Moody¡¯s team in Counties Manukau South.
¡°The man had been causing great harm to our community throughout the year, and had at least 39 warrants for his arrest,¡± Sergeant Moody says.
¡°This man was also being sought by the National Retail Investigation Support Unit.¡±
A warrant was executed at a Papakura address late last week, and the man was arrested by Police. He was remanded into custody at his initial court appearance for these recent charges.
The 34-year-old male is next due to appear in the Papakura District Court on 14 December.
Police have also summonsed a 37-year-old woman to court on with two counts of shoplifting where she has been jointly charged with the man. She is expected in the Papakura District Court on 4 January 2024.
¡°We have no tolerance for this offending being committed in our communities, and we will continue to target and hold offenders to account for their actions,¡± Sergeant Moody says.
ENDS.
Tony Wright/51½ÖÉä