Brazen theives target Kathmandu stores

File photo / Natalie Slade

People are urged to be wary of anyone selling cut-cost jackets following a number of brazen thefts from South Auckland Kathmandu stores over the past two months.

Counties Manukau Police Senior Sergeant Karley Hunt said anyone who bought a Kathmandu jacket from other than an official retailer should proceed with caution, as new, heavily discounted jackets sold via social networking, online auction sites, or at street sales could be stolen.

"We advise everyone to remember that if you're approached with a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

"To knowingly receive stolen goods is a crime and we urge people with information to come forward."

The spate of thefts began in June with four robberies at the Ronwood Ave Kathmandu store.

Since then, the two other stores in Botany and Pukekohe had also been targeted.

The Ronwood Ave store suffered 15 robberies between June and September, Ms Hunt said.

Most recently, the Ronwood Ave store was robbed of thousands of dollars worth of jackets on Saturday.

Stores across the Auckland metro region had also been targeted.

The Kathmandu jackets were targeted by thieves due to their high retail and resale value and popularity amongst young people.

"The majority of these crimes are conducted with one or more thieves grabbing the jackets and running to a car waiting outside the store," Ms Hunt said.

In the most recent case, police were working to establish the identity of an alleged offender who entered the store wearing pyjamas or a 'onesie', and dropped a wallet in his rush to leave the store with an armful of jackets.