Police hunt 'bubbly' champagne thief

Police are on the hunt for a "bubbly thief" who has been stealing champagne from liquor stores in the Waikato.

Police had received a number of complaints about a man who had allegedly stolen several bottles of wine, Sergeant Graham McGurk of Matamata police said.

"It appears he enters a liquor store with a random person, making it appear they are together.

"When that person speaks to staff he removes a bottle from the chiller," Mr McGurk said.

When the "unsuspecting accomplice" goes to the counter he grabs the bottle and hides it in his clothing and leaves, he said.

The man had also gone into stores claiming to have over ordered for events such as weddings and tries to "return" the goods.

"This scam appears to have been going on since last year."

The man had struck as recently as yesterday , Mr McGurk said.

"We were unable to locate him yesterday but our inquiries are continuing. From what we've tracked down so far we believe the man is not from the Matamata-Piako area but travels in to our patch, offends then leaves," he said.

- NZPA