A prolific shoplifter has been remanded in custody after allegedly offending across large parts of the Auckland region, police say.
The Newmarket Community Policing Team had been on the hunt last week, locating the man at an Onehunga address, police say.
“Our community teams are targeting areas that are seeing higher reports of retail crime,” says inspector Rachel Dolheguy, the Auckland City East Police area prevention manager.
“While they’re targeting prolific offenders who continue to cause this harm, they’re also working closely with retailers in harder hit retail locations.”
A 31-year-old man was arrested last week after being located by Newmarket staff, she says.
“A grand total of 23 shoplifting charges have been laid against the man.
“These charges relate to his alleged offending across New Lynn, Mt Eden, Mt Albert, Auckland central, and Newmarket.”
Police say they also arrested a 39-year-old woman at the same Onehunga address, and she also faces 13 charges.
Both have appeared in the Auckland District Court.
“Police successfully opposed the 31-year-old man’s bail, and he has been remanded in custody until his appearance in court in late September,” Dolheguy says.
“This is a great result and shows yet another person, who is allegedly causing thousands of dollars’ worth of offending, being held to account.”
