The victim of a brazen daytime bag snatching in east Auckland says she’s “glad and relieved” police have arrested two men over a spate of such thefts in recent months.
As the Times previously reported, the woman, who does not want to be identified, was targeted by thieves while shopping in Botany in May.
The east Auckland resident bought some leggings from Kmart Botany at about 5.20pm on May 18.
She returned to her car parked nearby and put on her seatbelt when another vehicle was used to block in her car and stop her from backing out.
She says a man she estimates was aged 20-30 years old then appeared at her front passenger window.
He opened her car door and started going through her shopping, which was sitting on her car’s front seat.
The offender grabbed her wallet, the new $7 leggings she bought from Kmart, and ran to the waiting car, which left the area.
On July 14 police publicly reported the arrest of two men over a spate of bag snatches around the city including at locations in east Auckland.
Counties Manukau East Police inspector Colin Higson said the arrests of two men aged 22 and 24 were made as part of an investigation into bag snatches carried out since May.
The incidents had mainly been reported in south-east Auckland and in Botany and Papatoetoe, he said.
Higson said the two men have been charged with numerous offences relating to theft and dishonesty and are before the courts.
The police investigation is ongoing and he cannot rule out further arrest or charges.
“While the news of the arrests will be reassuring to our community, we continue to urge them to keep their safety front of mind and to remain vigilant,” Higson said.
The woman who had items stolen from her car outside Kmart Botany on May 18 says she’s glad and relieved police have caught and charged the two men.
“Unfortunately many young and older women of our local community have been targeted and become victims,” she told the Times.
She urges women to lock their vehicle doors while driving and familiarise themselves with how to temporarily block their credit and Paywave cards via apps on their mobile phone.
The woman also encourages others to carry their bags across their upper bodies.
“It’s a good opportunity to check the contents of their wallets and make sure they don’t have passwords written down or home addresses in there.”
Police say if someone finds themselves being targeted by a bag snatcher, they should not chase the offender but instead get a description of the person and their vehicle and phone 111.
Members of the public are advised not to carry large amounts of cash, lock their doors when they get into their vehicle, and place their bag under the front seat.
