Theft victim and shop assistant hunt down thief

A Rotorua woman turned amateur detective after her credit card was stolen, teaming up with a shop assistant to hunt down the thief.

Rae Wi found her car had been broken into and her wallet stolen last Friday afternoon.

She had her cards cancelled immediately then set out to track down the offender, Rotorua's Daily Post newspaper reported.

A bank statement showing where the card had been used to buy clothing and electrical goods totalling $1500, led Ms Wi to the Harvey Norman store, where she was given security footage of the thief.

She took the photos to other stores the offender had visited where staff identified her.

After seeing the photos, Jeans West shop assistant Kelly Urquhart saw the thief on the street.

"I turned a corner and this woman was right there. She was wearing different clothes but I recognised her."

Miss Urquhart saw the woman go into the Tourism Rotorua building and followed her, staying on the phone with police until they arrived.

Ms Wi was at the police station giving a statement later the same day when she was told a woman had been arrested.

- NZPA