Chinese tourists shocked by confrontation in town

A group of Chinese tourists were confronted by an Oamaru man on Friday night who allegedly demanded money from them after stealing alcohol from Liquorland earlier in the night.

Oamaru Police acting sergeant Stuart Dowling said about 8pm on Friday a box of RTDs were taken from Oamaru Liquorland.

"About half an hour later he confronted a group of five Chinese tourists demanding money," Mr Dowling said.

"When he was declined he tried to steal a money belt."

The group of tourists on lower Thames St escaped and ran to The Last Post, where they rang the Oamaru Police. The 21-year-old was found by police and resisted arrest, allegedly attempting to outrun the police in handcuffs.

He appeared in the Dunedin District Court on Saturday, where he was remanded in custody.

He will re-appear in the Dunedin District Court this week.

The group of tourists, who were mostly from Shanghai, had travelled the world extensively and were astonished by the Oamaru man's behaviour.

"They never expected anything like that in Oamaru," Mr Dowling said.

The were interviewed on Friday night, leaving the area the next day to continue their travels in New Zealand or return to China.