Court appearance in relation to Kathmandu store thefts

A woman has appeared in the Wellington District Court earlier today charged in connection to three separate thefts at Kathmandu stores in Wellington and the Hutt Valley in recent days.

Police have been investigating thefts at Kathmandu in Willis Street around 4:15pm on Tuesday, where a number of puffer jackets were stolen by a male offender.

Detective Senior Sergeant Donna Howard of the Wellington CIB says yesterday, around 1:45pm, a man and a woman entered the Kathmandu store in Kilbirnie, where the man attempted to grab a number of puffer jackets, however he was approached by the store manager and a brief struggle took place. The offender fled empty-handed.

"About 35 minutes later, a man then entered the Kathmandu store in Petone, where he grabbed a number of puffer jackets and attempted to walk out of the store."

The offender was then confronted by the store manager, dropping the jackets. The offender was then chased by the store manager. As the offender neared his vehicle, he pointed a gun at the victim.

Around 5:15pm last night, a man entered Michael Hill Jewellers in Lambton Quay and asked to view some jewellery items. Once he was given the items to view, he then ran from the store, getting into a vehicle nearby.

D/S/S Howard says in all of these four incidents, a similar green sedan vehicle was alleged to have been used. Last night, Police recovered the vehicle in Wellington city and arrested a 35 year old woman for receiving stolen property.

"She has appeared in the Wellington District Court today and has been remanded on bail to a later date. We are continuing to make enquiries in relation to these thefts and would like to hear from anyone with any information."

Police would like sightings of the green vehicle (image attached) and anyone who knows the identity of the offender in the attached CCTV images from the Michael Hill Jeweller theft.

Anyone with any information should contact Wellington Police on (04) 381 2000 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

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