Police have arrested two men after alert members of the public reported suspicious behaviour in a Rolleston supermarket carpark.

The incident began early yesterday morning, 18 January, when a vehicle was stolen from Gloucester Street in Christchurch.

At around 3.20pm, Canterbury locals in Rolleston noticed two people acting suspiciously around vehicles in the supermarket carpark. They quickly contacted Police, providing detailed information about what they had observed.

Officers in the area were able to respond promptly, locating the two men inside a stolen vehicle nearby. Both were taken into custody, and the vehicle has since been returned to its owner, who expressed relief at its swift recovery.

Selwyn Police thanked the vigilant members of the public for their assistance, saying their actions were key to identifying the suspects and recovering the vehicle.

“This is a great example of how the community can help us combat crime,” a Police spokesperson said. “We encourage people to report suspicious behaviour as soon as they see it, with as much information as possible. Even if you’re unsure, your call could provide vital details to make arrests or recover property.”

Police reminded the public to report incidents by calling 111 if it is happening in the moment or 105 for non-urgent matters, either online or by phone.