Fleeing shoplifters leave three children behind

Photo / Dean Purcell

A mother and a man abandoned three children after the pair were caught shoplifting at Taupo's Pak'n Save supermarket.

A witness saw the pair trying to leave the supermarket on Tuesday afternoon with groceries they had not paid for. A checkout operator noticed but the duo ran off, leaving the three young children with them behind.

Security officers chased the pair but caught only the woman.

"Me and people around were saying 'That's terrible, how could anyone do that to their kids?' Now the kids are probably going to go to [Child, Youth and Family]," the witness said.

Taupo police said the children were all under the age of 8.

The mother had not been arrested but would face a charge of shoplifting, Constable Casey Wellwood said.

The children were back with their mother and CYF had been notified.

Police were making enquiries about the man who fled.

- APN