Arrest made after brazen butchery theft in Havelock North

David Thompson is the owner of Gourmeats in Havelock North. Photo / Warren Buckland

Police have arrested and charged an 18-year-old male in relation to a “brazen’' theft in Havelock North that left an employee out of pocket.

An unidentified male entered the rear door of Gourmeats, in Donnelly St on Monday morning, allegedly taking a wallet.

Police on Friday confirmed a teenager was apprehended in Wellington, after a vehicle was stolen from a Donnelly Street address near to Gourmeats.

The vehicle was found abandoned in the suburb of Kelburn and the man will appear in Wellington District Court on May 25 on multiple charges, which include burglary over $5000, two counts of burglary under $500 and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle. Police said enquiries are ongoing and “further charges related to other dishonesty offending in Havelock North are likely.’’

Gourmeats owner David Thompson claimed he had captured the event on video, which he posted to Facebook on Thursday.

“I just want people to know there are opportunist thieves out there,’’ Thompson earlier told Hawke’s Bay Today.

The incident happened at 8.10am, while staff were chopping meat just metres away.

“It’s just so brazen,’’ Thompson said.

A wallet was taken while butchers worked at Gourmeats on Donnelly St, Havelock North. Photo / Warren Buckland

Thompson said he’s heard anecdotal reports from other Donnelly St business owners about petty, nuisance crimes such as this.

“The businesses are getting frustrated,’’ he said.