A greedy thief has been arrested after being caught allegedly trying to steal hundreds of chocolate bars.
The alleged thief is accused of loading his trolley with 241 blocks of Whittaker’s chocolate worth a total of $1,349.60 from a supermarket in South Auckland, New Zealand, this week.
Police said the man still tried to flee with the New Zealand-made chocolate after being arrested.
“Fortunately, security at the scene were able to block the trolley, which the offender attempted to drag before it tipped over and all items were recovered before it went too far,” Senior Sergeant MJ Riddle of Counties Manukau South said in a statement.
Police made the arrest following extensive investigations into a series of shoplifting incidents in South Auckland in recent weeks.
The suspected burglar was located at a property in Papakura after police acted on information they received.
A 37-year-old man was charged with multiple counts of theft and shoplifting.
He was remanded in custody and is due to appear before the Papakura District Court on Monday.
A man is currently behind bars after he allegedly tried to steal this haul of Whitakker chocolate (pictured)
The 37-year-old man still tried to drag his cart once he was spotted by security, who blocked its wheels.
Police called the arrest an “excellent outcome” as shoplifting is “detrimental” to communities.
“Police will continue to pursue the prolific retail crime in our communities,” he said.
“This is also another great example of how the community can help us report suspicious and illegal behavior.”
In another shoplifting incident, police arrested a woman for allegedly stealing more than $21,000 worth of goods from several supermarkets in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
He will face 20 charges of shoplifting when he appears in the Manukau District Court this week.