Debbie Jamieson / Stuff
Police say the man was involved in shoplifting in Queenstown.
A man is on trial for stealing clothes from a ski shop in downtown Queenstown.
Senior Sergeant Glenn Wilkinson said the man allegedly entered a ski shop in the tourist town around 12:45 p.m. Thursday and grabbed a pile of clothes from a rack.
He ran out of the store, chased by the staff, down Athol Street, before jumping into a car and “walking away,” Wilkinson said.
Witnesses noted the license plate and police found the car near Lake Hayes a short time later.
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Senior Sergeant Glenn Wilkinson said police caught the man because there were limited ways to get out of Queenstown.
Police found numerous stolen items in the car, including clothing from other local retailers, Wilkinson said. He turned out to be involved in shoplifting.
The property was returned to local shops.
A 33-year-old Southland man was arrested and charged with multiple thefts. He is due to appear in court in Queenstown on Friday.