Updated 2.35pm: A 24-year-old female has been charged with theft and possession of a weapon.
She had a knife while shoplifting at Strandbags on Devonport Rd around midday, a police spokeswoman said.
She would appear in Tauranga District Court this afternoon.
Earlier: Police responded to a theft at Strandbags on Devonport Rd around midday today.
A police spokeswoman said a community patrol volunteer alerted police to three people entering the shop and taking off with some goods.