About $2000 of goods stolen from The Warehouse in Greymouth yesterday serves as a warning to retailers with the Christmas rush and crowded premises, say police.
Police drew on the help of The Warehouse security staff and members of the public to track down an 18-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man, who had fled the scene to a Cobden address, later in the afternoon.
Police believe a third person was involved in the theft and inquiries today were focused on finding that person.
Senior sergeant Paul Watson said police were called to the store about 2pm after a young woman was spotted making numerous trips out to the car park with a laden trolley to a waiting vehicle.
"Subsequently they fled the scene," Mr Watson said.
Security staff pursued the vehicle and with information from security footage and help from the public, the police were able to apprehend the pair fairly quickly.
About $2000 worth of goods were recovered following the arrest of the pair in Cobden. Both are due to appear in the Greymouth District Court on Friday charged with theft.
"It was good work on behalf of The Warehouse staff and their security to get on to those individuals," Mr Watson said.
He said the incident served as a warning to retailers to be vigilant in the busy Christmas shopping period, particularly when premises were crowded, and to report anything suspicious.
"There will be those opportunists out there who are going to take bigger advantage of crowds in shops."
- by Brendon McMahon
