A central Auckland retailer is facing charges as a Police operation unwraps the distribution of stolen goods.
The Police operation, which remains ongoing, resulted in a search warrant being executed at a convenience store in the city late on Friday.
In the process, more than 50 blocks of chocolate were recovered after being stolen from a city supermarket earlier in the day.
Auckland City Central Area Commander, Inspector Grant Tetzlaff, says Police have been investigating a series of thefts recently.
¡°Our staff in the city have been keeping a close eye on the wider picture of those involved in the initial offending, but also where these products are ending up,¡± he says.
¡°Enquiries have led to the search warrant being carried out late on Friday.¡±?
A 42-year-old man will appear in court on charges of receiving stolen property.
It¡¯s a bittersweet outcome.
¡°It¡¯s really disappointing to see a few small retailers are engaging in the behaviour that we will allege this man has been involved in,¡± Inspector Tetzlaff says.
¡°This behaviour simply continues a cycle of offending and means their industry colleagues are likely to be targeted and victimised in their businesses.¡±?
Buying stolen goods is a criminal offence.
¡°Our message to retailers is that they should be more aware if they are being approached to buy product at very low prices,¡± Inspector Tetzlaff says.
¡°If you are being approached to buy at bargain basement prices, you could be dealing in stolen merchandise.¡±
If you are approached in such circumstances, information should be reported to Police.
The arrest comes off the back of ongoing efforts to target retail crime offenders.
¡°In the past six months we have laid hundreds of charges for theft at central city businesses.¡±
The operation is continuing, and Police anticipate investigations into theft of other items will lead to arrests.
¡°We are following some lines of enquiry, and we cannot rule out laying further charges over the initial thefts or those involved in receiving stolen goods,¡± Inspector Tetzlaff says.
As for the man facing charges, he is expected in the Auckland District Court on 7 June.
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/51½ÖÉä
