Rānui supermarket staff threatened with umbrella after alleged theft, trio to appear in court

A member of the public was knocked over when an alleged shoplifter fled on a bike. Photo / Bevan Conley

Three people will appear in court after a violent confrontation at a West Auckland supermarket with staff allegedly threatened with an umbrella and a person run down by a getaway cyclist.

Police say two men and a woman entered a supermarket on Swanson Rd in title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/ranui/">Rānui at 3.30pm yesterday and stole items, hiding them in a bag.

“In the process they have allegedly threatened staff with an umbrella,“ said relieving Waitematā West area commander Inspector Jason Edwards.

“On exiting, the woman has violently shoved a staff member as the group left the store.”

Police found three people nearby and a woman and one of the men were taken into custody. However, the third person fled the scene on a bike, allegedly knocking over a member of the public in the process.

Police gave chase on foot and a suspect was apprehended.

Edwards said a 33-year-old now faces charges including shoplifting, assault and resisting police.

A 32-year-old woman faces charges of shoplifting and aggravated assault and a 39-year-old man faces charges of shoplifting and behaving threateningly.

All three are due to appear in the Waitākere District Court today.

“There is no tolerance for the violent behaviour that this group exhibited towards supermarket staff, and they will all now be held accountable,” Edwards said.

Last month an American reality TV star visiting New Zealand said she was almost knocked to the ground during a supermarket shoplifting incident.

Kate Gosselin, known from 2000s hit show Kate Plus 8, had been shopping at New World in the Auckland suburb of Botany, according to the Daily Mail.

Gosselin posted a video to TikTok, filmed immediately after incident explaining a man attempted to flee the supermarket with a trolley full of stolen groceries.