'Man too intoxicated to buy alcohol' goes on a rampage at a liquor store in Tauranga

A man too drunk to buy alcohol went on a rampage assaulting the store attendant, throwing liquor bottles and ending up stealing tobacco products from a liquor store in Tauranga.

Two men entered Fraser Cover Shopping Centre Bottle-O in Tauranga on the night of Monday, February 1. One of the men too intoxicated to buy alcohol demanded alcohol, became aggressive and assaulted the store attendant.

The man held a Bourbon can in his hand while he demanded more alcohol, and on being denied due to his high-intoxication level, became aggressive and chased the attendant.

Screenshot from the CCTV footage supplied by the liquor store

The accompanying person was heard saying '"Come on brother. My car's going to get caught on the camera", to which the offender said, "I am sorry… but I have to."

The offender chased the store attendant blowing punches and throwing bottle crates on him as the attendant backed off from the situation as trained to do under difficult situation such as this for their safety.

Owner of the store, Chiranjeet Dhillon said the incident was the worst he has seen since the last 13 years of owning the liquor stores.

The man ended up going behind the counter, taking tobacco products and other items from the counter in an aggressive manner before leaving the premises with his accomplice in their car.

Screenshot from the CCTV footage supplied by the liquor store

Speaking to NZ Herald, Mr Dhillon said, his staff is okay, did not require ambulance but is shaken by the incident.

He added that the menace of petty thefts and shoplifting is prevalent at his store, but this incident was an isolated one and had never seen like this in the past.

Mr Dhillon further added his anger stating a person as drunk as the offender last night should not be on the roads, or behind the wheels.

Mr Dhillon said he was enraged that how can an intoxicated person enter a store and assault someone who is working hard, even late evenings and earning a decent, and honest living.

The incident was reported by the police, investigations are ongoing, and no arrests have been made.