An alleged chocolate thief will struggle sweet-talking her way out of this one.
Police have caught an Auckland woman red-handed in possession of 12 boxes of allegedly stolen scorched almonds on Tuesday night.
The arrest comes as police were investigating recent incidents of theft and shoplifting in Papakura - with three women now facing charges for the crime.
Counties Manukau South Area Prevention Manager Inspector Matt Hoyes said just after 5pm on Tuesday, officers spotted a person riding a bike who was wanted to arrest for multiple shoplifting offences.
"On seeing police, she ditched the bike and started to run, but we eventually took her into custody and located 12 boxes of scorched almonds in her possession," he said.
"These were confirmed as stolen from a supermarket in Papakura about five minutes earlier."
The 25-year-old woman has been charged with 20 shoplifting offences and appeared in the Papakura District Court on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, police also made another arrest for shoplifting after being called to a supermarket on East St.
"A shoplifter had taken an amount of meat products and left the store," Insp Hoyes said.
"Our staff located her nearby about 20 minutes later and took her into custody. She had a warrant to arrest for an incident in Papakura last month, where a person was allegedly assaulted, and money stolen."
The 45-year-old woman was set to appear in the Papakura District Court on Wednesday on burglary, assault, shoplifting and bail charges.
Earlier in the day, another woman was arrested at a supermarket before 10am.
Inspector Hoyes says the woman had allegedly walked out without paying for a number of products.
"While the offender had left the store, our staff were quickly on scene and located her inside a parked vehicle nearby," he said.
"The stolen items were located inside and recovered, she was taken into custody without further incident."
The 42-year-old woman was scheduled to appear in the Papakura District Court on Thursday, facing four charges of shoplifting.
Insp Hoyes said this kind of offending would not be tolerated by police.
"These brazen acts are a blight on our community, and we will do everything in our power to hold those who behave in this manner to account."
