Man arrested in fast-food drive-through

‘‘This is a great example of the community letting us knowwhen there is something untoward happening so that we can respond.’’ Police spokesperson

An alleged burglar’s lunch plans were put on hold after Auckland police arrested him in a local fastfood drive-through.

A St Heliers resident had reported someone was stealing items out of a boat parked in a driveway, police said in a social media post.

After being provided the registration plate details of a vehicle leaving the area, the police Eagle helicopter buzzed the area and, after finding the vehicle, followed its movements.

‘‘Our staff were there to stop the alleged offender as he was in the drive-through of a nearby fastfood restaurant,’’ a police spokesperson said. ‘‘This is a great example of the community letting us know when there is something untoward happening so that we can respond.’’

The 32-year-old man arrested will face court on a burglary charge later this month.

East Auckland has been subject to an ‘‘uptick’’ in crime over the past six months, according to Tāmaki MP Simon O’connor.

The area has seen a spate of crimes and damage – from dairies being ram-raided to a car smashing into a girl’s bedroom – in recent months.

This is not the first time a wanted person has been nabbed at a fast-food restaurant.

In 2019, the British family known as the ‘‘Unruly Tourists’’ was caught at a Hamilton Burger King after leaving a trail of destruction across Auckland.

The drama at the fast-food joint began with complaints of ‘‘a Scottish family’’ being rude to customers and deliberately spilling drinks on their food, before asking for a refund.

Children yelled ‘‘obscenities’’ into the drive-through speaker box and the group walked away when police turned up, documents released to Stuff showed. The family were deported.