Shirtless Shoplifter Causes Sensation

A shoplifter in need of a coffee fix stripped naked and dove into a frozen river to escape safety after fleeing a North Dunedin supermarket.

The shirtless man, who allegedly stole coffee and a bottle of cream, was eventually captured as he tried to flee on a scooter.

Sergeant Matt Lee, from Dunedin, said police were contacted by Gardens New World at 10.25am yesterday after a 22-year-old man left the store without paying for his items.

The man was followed on foot by one of the store’s security guards “and, in an attempt to get away from them, the man took off some clothing and swam into the waters of Leith,” it said. said Sgt Lee.

The man left the river near Brook Street and police located the now “shirtless” man riding a scooter on the other side of the river.

“It looks like he walked through the gardens, saw the people of the New World following him, and took off all his top layers.” . I swam in Leith. . . then he jumped on a scooter and tried to run away,” Sgt Lee said.

His clothes were returned to him and Sgt Lee said the man admitted stealing coffee and a bottle of cream.

He was referred to the Te Pae Oranga Community Committee for his shoplifting offence, Sgt Lee said.

[email protected]