Smash and grab culprit caught in act

Packs of a controversial legal high, K2, known as synthetic cannabis, have been stolen in a shop burglary in downtown Napier.

Police said the King of Swords in Hastings St was burgled about 1.30am on Monday and a "large quantity" of K2 was stolen, along with three swords from among the shop's array of replica medieval weapons and armour.

At least one person entered the shop after the front door was smashed in, and targeted the K2, which is being legally sold pending possible legislative prohibition, but which is being forced out of suburban shops by communities concerned with the impacts on users, including juveniles.

Some dairies have bowed to the concerns and decided to no longer stock K2.

Detective Sergeant Heath Jones said up to 50 packs of K2 that sell for about $20 each were stolen.

"That's what they were targeting," he said.

"They went into a building full of ornamental swords and other items, and went straight to what they were after.

"I've never come across it, but I've come across people absolutely wasted on it.

"They don't know what they're doing." That included adults and juveniles.

Among them was a man arrested on Monday after being seen naked on one of Napier's busiest streets. He had later told police he'd smoked K2.

By late yesterday no arrests had been made in relation to the King of Swords burglary.

However, police have security-camera images of at least one of the culprits in the shop and they are trying to identify others who may have been involved.