"Not Here to Help a Hungry Family": Shoplifting Mum Jailed After Brazen Spree

Hamilton woman Alicia Te Papa, labeled a "high-risk" shoplifter, has been sentenced to prison after a spree involving 12 thefts, including snatching perfume from store staff.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 6:07 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The Shoplifting Spree

Between May 2025 and February 2026, Alicia Te Papa engaged in 12 separate shoplifting incidents across Hamilton, targeting major retailers including Woolworths, Rebel Sport, Farmers, and Kmart. Her methods were described as "basic" but persistent: walking into stores, filling baskets or trolleys, and marching out regardless of staff intervention. The total value of the stolen goods reached approximately $3,800.

Brazen Confrontations

One of the most significant incidents occurred at a Farmers fragrance counter in July 2025. After her card was declined, Te Papa snatched bottles of perfume worth $570 directly from under the arm of a shop assistant. When a security guard attempted to reclaim the items, she fought to grab them back. Although she dropped a $310 bottle in the struggle, she still managed to escape with the remaining fragrances. Even when staff activated electronic trolley locks at other locations, Te Papa was observed simply picking up the baskets and continuing her exit.

Kleptomania Claims and Personal Hardship

In the Hamilton District Court last Monday, defense counsel Catriona Kunac argued for home detention, noting that Te Papa believed she suffered from kleptomania, though she lacked a formal diagnosis. The defense also highlighted several mitigating personal factors: