A new Auckland retail crime unit has apprehended two “nationally sought” shoplifters this week, police say.
The unit began work on Monday, tasked with targeting recidivist retail crime offenders in the Auckland City and west suburbs between Mt Roskill, Mt Albert, Avondale, Pt Chevalier and Ponsonby.
Police area prevention manager inspector Wayne Kitcher said that hours after the team began work, two people were taken into custody.
“Between them, these two individuals have accumulated more than $250,000 worth of loss to retailers from across the region.
“We will allege that this offending was spread across multiple retailers, where high value items were targeted on a regular basis.
“Retail crime cost retailers approximately $2.6 billion annually in losses.”
A 37-year-old man faced five counts of shoplifting. He was remanded in custody and was due to appear in Auckland District Court on July 29.
A 28-year-old woman was also remanded in custody and due to appear in Auckland District Court on July 30. She faced nine counts of shoplifting and burglary charges.
