Co-accused Kitia Lucy Toimata, 24, and Sharice Walker-Grace appeared in the Hamilton District Court today for sentencing over the April 2022 incident.
On 16 April, Toimata and Walker-Grace entered the Hamilton City central Kmart, where they filled up their trollies and tried to leave without paying.
When staff tried to stop them the pair then tried to barge their way out of the store using the trollies as weapons. Walker-Grace also swung a pair of tongs at staff.
Toimata grabbed a staff member by the hair and punched her three times on the head.
The pair left after being confronted by a member of the public, but they returned again a short time later, whereupon Walker-Grace stabbbed a staff member in the back with the tongs, and attempted to stab others. The pair left with four boxes of stolen goods and a staff member’s cellphone.
Judge McDonald sentenced Toimata to a total 25 months prison on a raft of charges, including some relating to the Kmart incident, but also separate charges of shoplifting and drink driving.
Walker-Grace’s sentencing was adjourned until December.
Shoplifters kicking security and staff members at Kmart in Te Rapa Hamilton an hour ago. Video doing its round on Facebook pic.twitter.com/gH7x0KzJnt
— Brad S (@Aqbch2) April 17, 2022
