Shopkeepers a match for serial 'handblagger'

A wanted man nicknamed the "handblagger" has been captured thanks to the efforts of three North Shore shopkeepers.

Sergeant Greg Ander said police had been hunting for the man in connection with a spate of handbag "snatch and grabs" around the North Shore in the past few weeks.

"Police believe he had a raging drug habit and needed cash fast. This may explain the brazenness with which he struck, so getting caught was inevitable."

On Friday morning police say the 21-year-old "handblagger" was caught trying to take another bag from a woman at the Mairangi Bay shopping centre.

A group of shopkeepers saw what was happening and gave chase.

The man nearly made it to a car but his friends took off as he was trying to get in.

Mr Ander said the man threatened the shopkeepers as they surrounded him, saying he had a knife.

The threat did not deter them and one of the shopkeepers jumped on the man. He was held down until police arrived.

Mr Ander said police did not recommend "this sort of citizens' arrest".

"However, all credit to those involved, they are very sensible people and obviously weighed up the situation carefully. In the end they were proven to have made the right decision, no knife was found and collectively they were able to overpower and restrain the man quite easily."

The man's nickname, "handblagger" was a play on the cockney slang for robber, blagger, police said.

The man was charged with two counts of theft and one of robbery and has been remanded in custody after a brief court appearance on Saturday.