Gang member charged with $10,000 shoplifting spree

An Auckland gang member was allegedly caught driving a stolen vehicle after swiping bottles of alcohol from a Henderson liquor store.

Police received a report of the shoplifting incident on Friday afternoon and spotted the vehicle 15 minutes later.

Waitematā West Area response manager senior sergeant Jon Winthrop said the vehicle was then pulled over and inspected.

“The man has initially provided false details before a search of the vehicle located three bottles of alcohol,” he said.

The 33-year-old man was also discovered to be driving a stolen vehicle when police conducted further checks, police allege.

“Officers also conducted checks on the vehicle’s registration number and found that it did not match the vehicle’s make and model,” Winthrop said.

He was additionally found to be in breach of his bail and had 13 separate incidents of shoplifting against him.

He was charged with 13 counts of shoplifting totalling over $10,000, as well as other charges.

He is set to appear in Waitākere District Court court today after being remanded in custody.