A Hamilton supermarket worker went beyond his job description by chasing a wallet thief for several kilometres and helping in his arrest.

Senior Sergeant Dave Litton, said police were called by the Pak'N Save worker while he was chasing the offender who had fled from the Clarence St store about 7pm yesterday.

The man had been "lingering" around shopping trolleys near the supermarket entrance when he managed to steal a woman's wallet and cell-phone from her trolley.

"Our victim gave chase and caught up with the thief but he pushed her to the ground before charging over a supermarket employee and running out the store exit."

Mr Litton said a second supermarket worker saw what was going on and chased the offender through a number of properties and streets.

"The offender eventually doubled back and started heading north all the while being chased by the worker who not only had sufficient breath, but the presence of mind to phone 111 enabling us to coordinate our response and capture the offender by Waikato Hospital.

"Though we're yet to locate her cellphone we were able to return the wallet to the victim.

"This is a timely reminder to shoppers not to leave your valuables unattended, even for an instant, as you never know whose watching,'' Mr Litton said.

"This man really has gone above and beyond what could reasonably be expected from a person in regards to customer care and he deserves all the accolades possible for his efforts."

- APNZ