Three women who appeared in court this week on shoplifting charges allegedly then stole number plates from a vehicle directly outside the building.
Counties Manukau South Senior Sergeant Mary Jane Riddle said the three women were in Pukekohe appearing in court on other shoplifting charges on Tuesday.
“After leaving the court, the trio are alleged to have stolen the number plates off a vehicle that was parked directly outside,” she said.
“They then travelled to several shops in Pukekohe, where they are alleged to have stolen hundreds of dollars’ worth of items.”
Officers were actively searching for the alleged offenders when a vehicle was seen carrying the stolen licence plates.
Riddle said police located two women inside an automotive store who were quickly arrested without incident.
“The women had been prevented from stealing about $1800 worth of items from this store.
“We were also able to locate and recover several stolen items inside their vehicle,” she said.
A 29-year-old woman will be back in the Pukekohe District Court facing two new shoplifting charges.
Meanwhile, an 18-year-old woman is set to appear in the same court on December 4, facing four new shoplifting charges.
A third woman was also being sought by police over the alleged offending this week.
