Bunnings NZ: Customers band together to catch thief trying to make off with tools at Auckland store
Shocking footage has emerged of a group of vigilantes confronting two men as they allegedly tried to steal $4,000 worth of power tools from a Bunnings store.
The drama unfolded last weekend outside the hardware store in Takanini, about 30km south of Auckland.
Video footage of the alleged incident, uploaded to TikTok, shows customers and store staff confronting the alleged thieves.
Several customers and staff members were heard yelling abuse at the men as they attempted to grab power tools from a cart.
“Get out of here, get lost,” one of them shouted.
One man wearing an orange vest and another man in a gray hoodie quickly walked away.
The pair got into a nearby Ford Territory 4WD and drove away.
As the commotion unfolded, a staff member was seen carrying a heavy box of power tools into the store.
Several customers and staff members were heard yelling abuse at the men (pictured in the center) as they reportedly tried to grab the power tools from a cart
The brutal act took place in front of shocked bystanders, including a woman who was with her two children.
The footage of the incident went viral on the internet and the clip was flooded with comments from social media users praising the buyers for their quick action.
‘Great work by the Community. Shows that the audience doesn’t stop to watch anymore,’ one viewer commented.
Another added: ‘Well done to everyone involved in stopping it.’
A third wrote: ‘Well done guys.’
But some were not in favor of shoppers intervening and escalating the situation.
“I would advise people not to get involved,” one person wrote.
Others felt Bunnings should reward the shoppers who approached the men.
“Free sausages for everyone,” someone said.
The dramatic incident took place outside the hardware store in Takanini (pictured), about 30km south of Auckland, last weekend
Boyd Lane, regional manager of Bunnings Auckland, told Daily Mail Australia that no customers or staff were injured
“As this is now a police matter, we cannot comment further on this,” he said.
New Zealand Police have spoken to the store manager and are working with him to prevent similar incidents from happening again in the future.
“Police advise shoppers that if they suspect theft or shoplifting, they should report it to a store employee,” the spokesperson said.
‘Do not approach the suspect of theft yourself.’
People who feel in danger are urged to contact the police.