Three men will appear in court tomorrow after allegedly shoplifting at a Pukekohe supermarket.
The brazen incident unfolded around midday on Saturday 23 March on Manukau Road.
Counties Manukau South Area Commander, Inspector Joe Hunter, says the offenders allegedly filled a shopping trolley full of meat products.
¡°They then walked through the self-checkout without paying, while also threatening a member of the public who had confronted them during the incident.
¡°The offenders left the store and loaded the stolen meat into a vehicle in the car park and drove away.¡±
Inspector Hunter says Police were able to locate the vehicle thanks to the fast actions of a member of the public.
¡°I would like to acknowledge the person who noted the number plate of the alleged offenders¡¯ vehicle and passed this onto Police.
¡°In Drury, a Police unit signalled for the driver to stop on Great South Road which he did, and the stolen meat was found inside. Three men were taken into custody without incident,¡± he says.
Inspector Hunter says the meat, valued at around $750, was recovered and returned to the supermarket.
¡°Following enquiries, we have laid additional charges over an earlier incident at a Pokeno supermarket on 21 March where around $1000 in meat products were stolen.¡±
Two men, aged 39 and 25, are scheduled to appear in the Pukekohe District Court tomorrow 27 March facing multiple shoplifting charges.
A 28-year-old man is also set to appear on shoplifting charges, and faces a separate charge of speaks threateningly.
Police continue to urge those who witness crime or see something suspicious happening to contact Police immediately on 111.
¡°Retail crime and associated acts that cause people to feel unsafe are a real concern for Police and our communities.
"Timely calls to Police enable us to attend these events as quickly as possible,¡± Inspector Hunter says.
To report an incident after it has occurred, please contact 105.
Alternatively, information can be reported anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS.
Tony Wright/51½ÖÉä