By Scarlett Richards
Police have charged three alleged "prolific offenders" in a crackdown on retail offending in Auckland Central.
Twenty-two charges have been laid against the trio, with the amount of their alleged offending totalling $8936.
Around 7:45am on Thursday, police responded to reports of an attempted theft from a supermarket on Quay Street.
A 24-year-old man was arrested and is now facing 11 charges relating to shoplifting, theft, and burglary.
He is appearing in the Auckland District Court on Friday and his bail has been opposed.
Police said they have also charged a 28-year-old woman after multiple items were taken from a service station on Tuesday evening.
She was found and arrested at an address near Beach Road.
Her bail was opposed and she will appear in the Auckland District Court on Friday facing five shoplifting charges.
The last arrest was a 53-year-old male accused of being involved in multiple shoplifting incidents across Tāmaki Makaurau.
He faces six counts of shoplifting, his bail has been opposed, and he is to appear in the Auckland District Court on Friday along with the others.
Auckland City central area prevention manager Inspector Dave Christoffersen said these arrests are significant for Police.
"Retail crime is particularly damaging to our communities," he said in a statement.
"This is an excellent outcome and the number of charges laid reflect the brazen nature of this alleged offending.
"Police will continue to target prolific offending against retail businesses in our communities."
