Disgraced shoplifting tourists heading home

Four Spanish tourists are heading home in disgrace after a South Island shoplifting spree that ended at the Rangiora New World supermarket.

The group - two men and two women aged from 22 to 28 - raided the supermarket twice this month, eating their way through $97 worth of food before being apprehended by police.

Three of the group had already been convicted of stealing clothing valued at $1500 from the Farmers store in Dunedin in March. They were fined $450 each and ordered to pay reparations for the clothing.

Detective Sergeant Rex Barnett, of the Rangiora police, said it appeared the tourists had run out of money, were hungry and resorted to theft.

"They got into a habit where they ate their way around the supermarket," he said.

"They were going around eating as they went."

Detective Sergeant Barnett said the four tourists raided the supermarket on April 4 and again on April 11.

He said the four confirmed they had tickets to leave New Zealand last week and were given a "pre-charge warning" and ordered to pay $100 in reparation.

Police contacted Immigration New Zealand and the tourists details had been noted.

They would be refused further entry to New Zealand.

Detective Sergeant Barnett said he understood the four left the country on Friday.

Rangiora New World owner Robin Brown declined to comment, saying he wouldn't discuss security issues.