Three security guards have been arrested following complaints after demands were allegedly made of customers at a South Auckland supermarket.
The incidents involved some external security contractors at Pak’nSave Manukau, police said in a statement.
Five alleged victims filed complaints with police, Detective Senior Sergeant Kevin Tiernan, Counties Manukau Central CIB, said.
“Enquiries have been carried out since the first report was made to police in late January, culminating in the arrests being made today,” he said.
Two men, aged 23 and 39, and a 19-year-old woman were due to appear in the Manukau District Court on March 26.
“All three charged face a variety of charges including demands-with-intent and obtains-by- deception,” Tiernan said.
“A charge of demands-with-intent carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment under the Crimes Act.”
RNZ earlier reported a customer claimed she was cornered by a security guard at the supermarket and falsely accused of stealing.
She told RNZ’s Checkpoint the security guard threatened to call the police if she did not pay a $395 fine for stealing two bottles of moisturiser.
On checking her receipt, the bottles were not on it, she said. “I tried to explain to him like that wasn’t my intention to do it… it was just an accident.”
The security guard then told her they would usually call the police but, in this case, she might have to pay a fine of $395, she said.
In a statement following the arrests, Pak’nSave owner Foodstuffs told 1News it “would be inappropriate to comment on matters that are before the courts”.
