Source: New Zealand Police
Attribute to Inspector Hywel Jones, Waikato District Prevention Manager:
Police responding to a report of shoplifting on Victoria Street yesterday caught four people.
Around 12.40pm, Police received a call that three people were grabbing items from a store in a Hamilton central mall.
A shop assistant attempted to block the offenders leaving but were knocked over as they left, sustaining no injuries.
Police tracked the three as they left in a car driven by a fourth suspect.
Patrolling officers quickly narrowed down an address in Hamilton East where the car was parked at.
Upon Police attendance, four males, aged 14, 16, 19 and 21 were taken into custody and charged with shoplifting.
Two have been referred to a youth process and the other two will appear in Hamilton District Court today.
The merchandise, worth over $1,000, was recovered and returned to the store.
Police take retail crime seriously and have dedicated staff that respond to incidents so that retailers and shoppers can remain safe.
If you see shoplifting, call 111 if it’s happening now, or 105 if it’s after the fact.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/29/four-arrested-in-hamilton-for-brazen-lunchtime-shoplift/