Two people have been arrested following police raids in relation to a series of shoplifting and fraud offences across Christchurch, with over $20,000 in alleged losses.

“A significant portion of electrical equipment stolen from commercial premises has been recovered,” said Detective Sergeant Mike Freeman of the Christchurch Fraud Squad. 

“Our understanding is that these items were stolen between October 20 and November 3.”

Police executed two search warrants in Hei Hei and Hornby on Monday morning, with a third search warrant carried out later in the day.

A 30-year-old man appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Monday facing charges including two counts of causing loss by deception of over $1000, two counts of motor vehicle theft, and eight counts of shoplifting of over $1000. 

He was remanded in custody and is scheduled to reappear in court on Tuesday.

A 63-year-old woman is also facing charges of causing loss by deception of over $1000 and theft of a motor vehicle, and is due to appear in court on November 19.