Grocery shoplifters appear in court

Three women have appeared in court for shoplifting charges.

Three women appeared in court yesterday after police say they attempted to steal almost $1500 worth of groceries from Pak'nSave in Tamatea.

Maria Huata Papuni, 20, Karakia Alana Watson, 27, and Dayana Watson, 21, were all charged with shoplifting after three separate incidents on October 31 and November 1.

Papuni and Karakia Watson both pleaded guilty after appearing in Napier District Court yesterday. Dayana Watson did not enter a plea and was remanded to another date.

Court documents said that on October 31 all three women went to Pak'nSave and took $220.83 worth of groceries from the store.

The same day the police allege Papuni and Dayana Watson returned to the store about 6.20pm and tried to take a further $600 worth of food.

The pair were stopped after the supermarket door wouldn't open and instead fled with just three bags of chips.

Police said all three returned the next day and again attempted to take $669.22 of groceries.

Security followed the group from the store and the items were returned.

In court yesterday Karakia Watson was convicted and ordered to pay $220.83 worth of reparation.

Papuni was remanded on bail to reappear in court on January 9 for sentence.