A 36-year-old alleged burglar has been captured after changing his clothes mid-way through fleeing the scene in an effort to evade officers.
Counties Manukau Central police received a report of a burglary in progress at a dental clinic in Manurewa shortly after 3am.
Inspector Warrick Adkin said officers were quickly on scene where one man was arrested and a second allegedly took off in a vehicle.
"He didn’t drive far and abandoned the vehicle nearby, behind a building."
It was there, Adkin said, that the man changed his clothes and walked away on foot.
"Unfortunately for the man, police officers outwitted his attempt to evade and apprehended him near Maich Rd."
Police took the 36-year-old man into custody, and both he and the second 36-year-old arrested at the dental clinic were charged with burglary.
They would appear in the Manukau District Court today.
Adkin said it was a great outcome for frontline staff, and a reminder of the importance of "good CCTV and quick reporting".
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