New police retail crime unit nabs shoplifters linked to $250k thefts just hours after hitting the streets

The Tactical Retail Crime Unit started on Monday and was established in response to ongoing concerns around retail crime in the Auckland City west area. Photo / 123RF

A pair of “nationally sought” shoplifters have been arrested and charged with stealing more than a quarter of a million dollars worth of goods from New Zealand stores.

The arrests came within hours of a new police team targeting retail crime that began work in Auckland.

A 37-year-old man has been charged with five counts of shoplifting. He is due to appear in the Auckland District Court on July 29.

A 28-year-old woman is facing nine counts of shoplifting and burglary charges and will appear in court on July 30.

Both remain in police custody until then and further charges are being considered.

The Tactical Retail Crime Unit started on Monday. It was established in response to ongoing concerns around retail crime in the Auckland City west area.

Inspector Wayne Kitcher said the team’s “sole purpose” was “specifically targeting recidivist retail crime offenders and holding them to account for their offending”.

The team is operating in the suburbs between Mt Roskill, Mt Albert, Avondale, Pt Chevalier and Ponsonby.

Retail crime is estimated to cost business owners in New Zealand about $2.6 billion in losses each year. Photo / 123RF

Kitcher said “within hours” the team had “apprehended two nationally sought shoplifters”.

“Between them, these two individuals have accumulated more than $250,000 worth of loss to retailers from across the region,” he said.

“We will allege that this offending was spread across multiple retailers, where high-value items were targeted on a regular basis.”

Kitcher said retail crime costs business owners in New Zealand about $2.6 billion in losses annually.

Retail crime has increased over the last 18 months.

“These arrests serve as a clear message to anyone who steals from retailers that this offending will not be tolerated and that if people choose to engage in this behaviour, they can expect to be held to account,” he said.

“What I ask of our retailers is to please continue to report retail offending, reporting offences is the first step to help police target these individuals and put them before the court.”