Shoplifters arrested after allegedly threatening to kill off-duty police officer

An off-duty police officer and a member of the public have helped catch shoplifters who allegedly threatened to kill them in Lynfield, Auckland.

At 1:15pm on Sunday, the off-duty officer spotted a man allegedly leaving a Lynfield supermarket with a trolley full of groceries.

"The alleged offender has resisted arrest, which resulted in a struggle," Auckland City West Area response manager, senior sergeant Guy Baldwin said.

"During this, the man's partner has left the scene and come back in a vehicle and made a number of threats towards the officer and member of the public."

Baldwin said the alleged offender was let go and got into the vehicle.

"A Police unit located the vehicle shortly afterwards and followed it to Caltex Blockhouse Bay, where both occupants were taken into custody without incident.

"Thankfully no one was injured, and the items were recovered and returned to the store."

A 27-year-old man charged with assault with intent to injure first responder, shoplifting and resisting police will appear in Auckland District Court on Monday.

A 26-year-old woman will appear in Auckland District Court on 28 August charged with threatening to kill.