A 31-year-old man has been charged after allegedly showing Lynn Mall staff that he was carrying a fake pistol in the waistband of his pants yesterday.
Police received a call from security staff at the shopping centre in New Lynn who reported a male had allegedly told staff "he wasn’t shoplifting but did have a weapon".
Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager acting inspector Nick Salter said the alleged offender then lifted his top to reveal the handle of what was reported to be a pistol sitting in his waist band.
"The man has then walked out the store with the hoodie without paying for it," he said.
He said officers were not able to find the man at the scene.
An hour later police received another call from a member of the public regarding a man acting suspiciously on Clayburn Rd in Glen Eden.
"The informant described a man on a video call lifting his top to reveal a pistol in his waist band," Salter said.
"Police arrived quickly and located two people in a stationary vehicle, one of who was wearing the stolen hoodie from earlier, and both were taken into custody.
He said officers who searched the vehicle found a plastic BB gun and a bag of methamphetamine.
"Police take any report of the presence of firearms in the community very seriously and it is an offence under the Arms Act to possess or use an imitation firearm without a lawful, proper and sufficient purpose," Salter said.
A 31-year-old man would appear in Waitākere District Court today charged with presenting an imitation firearm and shoplifting.
A 48-year-old woman has been charged with five drug related charges and would also appear in Waitākere District Court today.
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