Off-duty cop is praised for unbelievably cool response after shopper was caught doing the unthinkable at Woolworths By Pranav Harish For Daily Mail Australia Published: 03:22, 15 July 2024 | Updated: 04:10, 15 July 2024 e-mail View comments An off-duty cop has won the praise of residents after incredible footage captured the moment he foiled an alleged shoplifter's attempt to steal meat from a supermarket. The off-duty detective sergeant stopped the man at a Woolworths on Lincoln Road at Henderson in Auckland's west, New Zealand , at 8.05am on July 9.
The cop, who did not want to be named, was on his way to work at Henderson Police Station, when he decided to grab a bag of chips for another officer. As he walked into the store, he spotted a man wearing a hoodie walking out of the wrong exit with a basket filled with hundreds of dollars worth of produce. The alleged thief was confronted by the cop and CCTV footage captured the moment the officer swiftly took the basket out of the man's hand.
The alleged robber was left stunned as the officer, who was wearing a dark coat and beige coloured pants, calmly walked past him. New Zealand Police said they are conducting inquiries into the incident. 'Police have now identified the offender and we will be speaking to him about the theft shortly,' they said.
The alleged thief was confronted by the cop and CCTV footage captured the moment the officer swiftly took the basket off the man (pictured) 'Police are continuing to hold shoplifters.