Crimeline: Shoplifting huge problem – visitors and Kiwis

Police and retailers are clamping down on shoplifters locally after what has become a huge problem in Queenstown and Wānaka, large numbers of overseas visitors, as well as Kiwis and local residents, to blame, Sergeant Simon Matheson says.

A 22-year-old overseas male visitor on his third trip to New Zealand was arrested on Wednesday, 5 February, and has been charged with 17 separate shoplifting offences at Queenstown and Wānaka supermarkets during the last month to six weeks. Matheson says he allegedly stole a total of $700 worth of grocery items.

“There has been a high number of New Zealand residents, locals and from around the country, and foreign nationals undertaking a lot of shoplifting recently.” He will face the charges in the Queenstown District Court.

While all district retailers face constant shoplifting losses, Matheson says supermarkets are the hardest hit. As the cost of living continues to bite food has become expensive in NZ, however, a repeat visitor to the country like the 22-year-old should be aware of the costs, he says. “I think he knows the place."

Some of those offending are short-term stays, while some are visiting for longer periods.

Police are also pursuing a number of other shoplifting offenders as they work together with local supermarkets and retailers to take a “targeted partnership approach” to hold all offenders to account. “Be warned we’re aware this is a problem, and supermarkets now have very sophisticated security systems and high-quality CCTV cameras.” They can back track and match a customer’s payments with what they were seen taking from the shelf.

“There’s always a problem with shoplifting here but lately supermarkets especially have been hit the hard for a sustained period.”

Serious assault downtown

A man was taken to Lakes District Hospital with head injuries, swelling and bruising after a serious assault in Church Street just after 5am on Wednesday, 5 February. A 34-year-old Christchurch man was arrested then attempted to run off until an off-duty security officer tackled him. He was released from the Queenstown Police Station on bail to appear in the Queenstown District Court.

McDonald's customer assaults staff

Police are hunting for a female customer who threw hot coffee in the face of a McDonald's employee at the McDonald's Drive-Thru in Frankton at about 6.40am on Wednesday, 29 January. Matheson says the offender was driving a small, Japanese-style vehicle and Police inquiries are still ongoing to identify her.

“If anyone saw anything there about that time we’d like to hear from them.” The female customer had ordered food at the Drive-Thru and upon receiving her order she removed the lid from her coffee and allegedly threw the hot liquid in the face of the employee who was taken to Lakes District Hospital for a precautionary check-up.

Burglars break into home to steal vehicle in Kelvin Heights

Police are still urging residents in the Cedar Drive-Oregon Drive areas of Kelvin Heights and other suburbs, to be aware of their neighbourhood surroundings, especially if neighbours are away, after a burglary and another car break-in in the Oregon Drive area.

Matheson says the residents had returned from holiday on Wednesday, 5 February, to discover that someone had broken into their home sometime from 16 January and attempted to steal their vehicle from the garage. The ignition barrel was damaged, however, the vehicle wasn’t taken. Police want to hear from anyone on 105 who noticed anything suspicious during that time.

“We really want people to be aware of what’s going on around them and their neighbours’ houses and make sure they call us if they see anything unusual,” he says. “If there’s activity don’t assume that’s the owners.”

Meanwhile, Police are still investigating two other recent car break-ins in Kelvin Heights, one outside the Hilton and one in Oregon Drive, between 23 and 26 January and want to hear from anyone who noticed anyone or anything suspicious. The rear quarter windows were smashed and ignition barrels badly damaged.

Drunken young men throw bottle at woman

A woman walking in the CBD sustained a small cut to her leg after two drunk young males, allegedly smashing glass, threw a bottle at her on the evening of Wednesday 29 January. Matheson says the men, aged 19 and 20, had allegedly entered the staff area at PAK’nSAVE in Five Mile earlier that evening and taken staff uniforms. They were found nearby under the influence of alcohol smashing glass bottles and behaving in a disorderly manner. This continued as they headed into town where the woman was allegedly assaulted, Matheson says. They’ve both been charged with smashing glass and one has been charged with assaulting the woman.

Drink driver speeding

Police stopped a male driving because he was allegedly driving at excessive speed on Kingston Road at around 3.30pm on Friday, 31 January, and a breath test revealed an alleged breath alcohol level of 854mcg/l. He was charged and also had his licence suspended for 28 days.

Injured hunter winched off steep ridge

A solo hunter was winched by helicopter off a steep ridge leading out of the lower Wye Creek area above the Devil’s Staircase after a personal locator beacon activation at 8.10pm on Sunday, A Rescue Cordination Centre spokesman says. St John responded with a Queenstown-based helicopter and the hunter was flown to Lakes District Hospital with minor injuries.

Tramper rescued near Macetown

RCC also received as SOS alert from a Satellite Emergency Notification Device on the Arrow River, north of Macetown, just after 2pm on Sunday, 2 February. A RCC spokesman says the tramper had been injured after slipping in the river and was flown to Lakes District Hospital with minor injuries.

Paraglider rescued after crash

A solo paraglider was also rescued after setting off his personal locator beacon when he crashed and sustained a knee injury on the Harris Mountains in Mount Aspiring National Park around 12.30pm on Saturday, 1 February. He was airlifted to Lakes District Hospital for treatment.

Several other patients were airlifted on Sunday, 2 February, from Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks – one in a minor condition and the other whose condition was unknown.