Two serial shoplifters arrested after 'throwing glass jars', assaulting staff with baseball bat, hammer in Auckland

Two women have been arrested following several recent thefts and assaults in south Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, police said on Wednesday. 

Both were known to the police. 

The first woman, 24, was arrested last week at a commercial property in Takanini after allegedly spraying disinfectant into security guards' faces. The second woman, 34, had been a person of interest after allegedly shoplifting in Papakura and Manukau, and was arrested on Tuesday. 

Insp Matt Hoyes, of Counties Manukau South, said the second woman was wanted for three other alleged crimes in the area. 

The first was on November 12, when a store worker "was assaulted and threatened with a baseball bat". The second was on November 29 at a supermarket, when she allegedly "assaulted employees by throwing glass jars at them before fleeing with a trolley-full of stolen goods". 

Police said the third was on Tuesday, when again at a supermarket the woman allegedly "threatened and assaulted employees with a hammer before decamping with another trolley-full of stolen products". 

Hoyes congratulated the "great work" and "quick and decisive action" from police across Tāmaki Makaurau to apprehend the "recidivous" women. 

Police officers are patrolling shopping centres and central business districts, he said. 

"Our high visibility patrols in shopping malls and along shopping strips also allow police to interact with the public who want to see an end to this type of crime in their neighbourhood. 

"By working together, we can make our district a place where everybody can be safe and feel safe." 

The 24-year-old is due to appear in the Manukau District Court on Friday, charged with six counts of shoplifting and two of aggravated assault. The 34-year-old was due to appear in the same court on Wednesday, charged with three counts of shoplifting, three of assault and one of aggravated assault.