A prolific shoplifter has been remanded in custody after allegedly offending across large parts of the Auckland region.

The Newmarket Community Policing Team had been on the hunt last week, locating the man at an Onehunga address.

“Our community teams are targeting areas that are seeing higher reports of retail crime,” Auckland City East Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rachel Dolheguy says.

“While they are targeting prolific offenders who continue to cause this harm, they are also working closely with retailers in harder hit retail locations.”

A 31-year-old man was arrested last week after being located by Newmarket staff.

“A grand total of 23 shoplifting charges have been laid against the man,” Inspector Dolheguy says.

“These charges relate to his alleged offending across New Lynn, Mt Eden, Mt Albert, Auckland central, and Newmarket.”

Police also arrested a 39-year-old woman at the same address, and she also faces 13 charges.

Both appeared in the Auckland District Court.

“Police successfully opposed the 31-year-old man’s bail, and he has been remanded in custody until his appearance in court in late September,” Inspector Dolheguy says.

“This is a great result and shows yet another person, who is allegedly causing thousands of dollars’ worth of offending, being held to account.”

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