Wanaka shops 'easy' target - tourist

A French tourist at a loss to explain why he stole more than $1500 of items from Wanaka businesses described it as ''his day of madness''.

Benjamin Pierre Stephane Turc (27) admitted shoplifting from eight stores on January 19 between noon and 3pm.

Of greatest value in the stolen items was clothing valued at $1181.64 from Racers Edge.

Prosecutor Tim Hambleton said Turc walked into the stores with a bag over a three-hour period, picking up the various items and placing them in his bag. He made no attempt to pay. 

Turc was eventually followed down the street and stopped at a local backpackers. All items, worth a total of $1674.21, were recovered.

He told police it was ''easy'' to steal from shopkeepers in Wanaka.

Duty solicitor Liam Collins said Turc was ''at a loss'' to explain his offending.

''He says he just can't understand why he did this. He didn't need the things he took. He can't explain why he did it.''

Mr Collins said Turc had worked hard for five years to fund his travel and planned to head to Australia later this week.

''He had tears in his eyes describing what he's done. His five years of hard work and saving may have been for naught.''

Judge Cook said Turc's offending could best be described as a ''spree'', but there seemed to be no reason for it.

While she considered a remand in custody until his departure date, she agreed with Mr Collins the New Zealand taxpayer should not have to foot the bill for his remaining time in the country.

For the theft over $1000 he was fined $1200, with $130 court costs.

On the remaining charges he was fined a further $750 for the theft from Racers Edge, along with $130 court costs and fined a further $750 for the remaining shoplifting charges.

The full list of stolen items

An umbrella and headlamp, valued at $89.95, property of Mt Outdoors; gift items valued at $139, property of Gifted Design; moisturiser and a muesli bar, valued at $45.49, property of Aspiring Pharmacy; wine valued at $25, property of Mediterranean Market; food items valued at $85.19, property of SoulFood; gift items valued at $103.34, property of Green Grove; a bottle of beer valued at $4.89, property of Four Square; and clothing valued at $1181.64, the property of Racers Edge.

 

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement