Whangārei man arrested after alleged supermarket theft spree

A man is facing 15 charges after an alleged stealing spree. Photo / NZME

A man has been arrested after an alleged week-long stealing spree from Whangārei supermarkets.

Police say the man was responsible for several large thefts from the supermarkets.

They say he used multiple vehicles to leave the scenes at speed to avoid capture.

Northland Tactical Response Team Senior Sergeant Christian Stainton said an officer spotted the man leaving a Whangārei supermarket and decided to follow him.

“It was a good call because, a short time later, the officer spotted the offender in a completely different car and called for back-up.”

Stainton said officers followed the man and became concerned about his driving.

“At one point, he collided with a civilian vehicle and continued on without stopping.”

No one was injured but police decided to stop the man as quickly as possible.

He was taken into custody when he stopped at a service station.

Police confirmed the man was facing 15 charges.

No further details were provided.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.