A shoplifter stole over $13,000 worth of items then she hid in a wardrobe. She was found and arrested in Rotorua at the weekend.
Area Prevention Co-ordinator Senior Sergeant Sonia Sherborne says that the Beat Teams are focused on retail crime and that offenders will be found and held to account for stealing.
"Retail crime is a key focus," says Senior Sergeant Sherborne. "Shoplifting is not okay, and we are catching offenders in the act, and afterwards."
"We simply won't stand for that sort of behaviour."
On Saturday, officers tracked down this shoplifter by locating the vehicle she had used while offending.
She was wanted for shoplifting multiple times, in many locations including Taupō, Tūrangi, Tauranga, Te Kūiti and Rotorua. She had a warrant out for her arrest and had breached bail.
After locating the vehicle, the Beat Team officers found the 22-year-old hiding in a wardrobe and arrested her on 17 shoplifting and a total of 24 charges, almost all relating to dishonesty offences. She is now in custody and will appear in Taupō District Court on 9 February 2026.
Another shoplifter, a 20-year-old, was also found at the same address. She was quickly recognised by a tattoo on her forearm. She is currently on bail with two charges of taking goods worth over $1000 and will appear in Rotorua District Court on 18 December 2025.
You are likely to see our Beat Teams out and about over the Christmas and New Year period, says Senior Sergeant Sherborne.
"We take shoplifting seriously and make no apologies for protecting our communities and local businesses.
"Our communities deserve to feel safe, and we are committed to being present, engaged and responsive in the spaces where people live, work and play," she says.
If you witness any illegal or suspicious activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or 105 if it is after the fact.
