Right man, such a wrong jacket

Wearing a bright yellow, fluorescent top is a bad idea if you are trying to run from police, as this man found out in central Whangarei yesterday.

Whangarei police said an officer was driving on Robert St, outside the Northern Advocate office, when he saw the man running away from others and stopped his patrol car.

The man had allegedly just stolen a packet of batteries from Pak n'Save at about 11am and was being chased by people from the store when the officer stopped.

The officer then gave chase and caught the man a few minutes later; his bright yellow top ensured he was easy to follow.

The man was given a formal warning for theft and the batteries were returned to the store.

It's the second time in just over a week that a hapless thief has made the news in Whangarei.

On June 13, Mangawhai man Adam Saville knocked himself out when he ran into a sign while trying to flee after stealing from Rebel Sports in Okara Shopping Centre.

Saville was sentenced to 40 hours' community work after pleading guilty to the theft this week.