Pak’nSave supermarket security guard accused of extortion attempt: Police say multiple complaints received

Police say 'a series of incidents' at the Manukau supermarket are now under investigation. Photo / NZME

Police say multiple complaints have been received after an alleged extortion attempt at Pak’nSave Manukau.

A supermarket shopper said she was accused of attempted shoplifting and stood over by security guards who demanded she pay $395 or be trespassed from the store on January 25.

The shopper told the Herald she wondered if other shoppers had been targeted in the alleged scam.

Police have now confirmed multiple people have complained.

“We are now speaking with a number of complainants regarding a series of incidents at a Manukau supermarket recently,” a police spokesman said today.

“Those people we are speaking with are supporting our inquiries into establishing what has occurred. Our inquiries are still ongoing at this point.”

He added: “Police encourage anyone who believes they have had similar experiences at Pak’nSave Manukau to contact us, to ensure the matter is reported.”

Police said anyone who experienced a similar problem with the supermarket security staff could lodge a report online or call 105.

Consumer NZ chief executive Jon Duffy today said he was aware of allegations from two people about security at the supermarket.

The consumer group last week reminded people that no security guards had the right to detain shoppers.

A shopper last week told the Herald the guard at Manukau told her to accompany him to an office, where a female security guard was already present.

“Then they asked me to sit down and close the door.”

The shopper, originally from China, said as the guards accused her of wrongdoing, she asked to see CCTV footage, but they initially refused to show her.

The shopper, 36, said the male guard also berated her.

“He said, ‘If you don’t follow the rules you will be facing more fines’.”

Foodstuffs last week said it had apologised to the 36-year-old woman and was investigating.

“Our stores are independently owned and operated, and each has its own policies and processes for hiring and managing security staff,” a Foodstuffs spokesman said today.

“Store owners have the discretion to choose their own security providers based on their individual needs and circumstances.”

The security company director last week told the Herald the alleged extortion attempt happened without his knowledge.