Shop worker stabbed during alleged Pokémon card theft in Auckland

Three youths have been arrested after allegedly stealing Pokémon cards from a hobby store in Auckland’s Newmarket, with police saying a staff member was stabbed when he tried to stop them.

Police were called to reports of shoplifting at a hobby store on Broadway at about 5.40 pm on Thursday, where a staff member suffered a stab wound.

The injured worker later told 1News he did not hold any grudge against the youths involved, urging others to “play Pokémon, not knives”.

“I just hope the kids learnt their lesson early so they can change their life path,” he said. “I don’t feel negative toward them,” as quoted by 1News.

Detective Senior Sergeant Matt Bunce said three young males allegedly stole items from the business before fleeing on foot.

"An employee from the store pursued this group, managing to stop one of these males on Nuffield St when a knife was produced," as quoted by 1News.

The staff member suffered a "moderate stab wound" and was taken to Auckland Hospital, where he was later discharged.

Bunce said Newmarket Security arrived at the scene, detained the 16-year-old male and removed the knife before police arrested him.

"The other two young males were tracked to nearby Newmarket Train Station and were apprehended," 1News has quoted.

Police were "appalled at the unnecessary level of violence" used against the staff member, Bunce said.

"Police acknowledge the quick actions of Newmarket Security staff and members of the public who quickly swung into action as our staff were responding to the scene," he said.
"This could have a very different outcome," as quoted by 1News.

Hobby Lords managing director Liam O’Neill said thefts were rare at the chain and confirmed the injured staff member was recovering.

"He told me ‘the kid had bad aim’, because he didn’t hit anything important," O’Neill said, as reported by 1News.

O’Neill said he was frustrated by what he expected would be the legal consequences.

"It’ll be a slap on the wrist, an absolute travesty from our justice system. We’d love to see the Government put in more protections for retail workers. We’d love to see actual justice," he said, 1News has reported.

The Government last month introduced its Crimes Amendment Bill, which includes tougher measures targeting retail crime, such as harsher penalties and on-the-spot fines of up to $1000 for low-level theft in an effort to deter shoplifting.

The 16-year-old will appear in the Auckland Youth Court on January 26, charged with aggravated wounding and shoplifting. The other two youths, both aged 13, were spoken to by police and will be referred to Youth Aid, as reported by 1News.