Ocean Alley rocker Lachlan Galbraith issues apology after caught shoplifting in New Zealand

An Australian rocker has issued an apology for shoplifting after a store in New Zealand outed him using CCTV footage.

A rocker from the Australian band Ocean Alley has publicly apologised after he was caught shoplifting from a store in New Zealand.

Lachlan Galbraith has issued an apology on social media days after he was captured stealing in CCTV footage released by the Hunting and Fishing store in Queenstown.

In a screengrab from the footage, the vocalist and keyboard player was snapped putting something in his bag while browsing the store, who later called the musician out on Instagram while referencing the band’s hit song Confidence.

“Good to see the fellas in town for their performance at [the Rhythm and Alps music festival] tonight,” the store wrote in its post, referring to the band’s gig in Queenstown.

“Unfortunately, it looks like there was just a little too much ‘Confidence’ in-store today.”

Ocean Alley rocker Lachlan Galbraith was caught shoplifting in New Zealand in CCTV footage. Picture: Instagram

The store said the rocker stole a Yeti drink bottle lid that retails for $17.95 and asked him to return it in their social media post.

“We realise hydration is important, so no worries, but please feel free to return the Yeti Chug cap back before you leave town tomorrow,” the store continued on social media.

“All the best for 2024 and the tour ahead.”

Galbraith swiftly apologised in a video message also shared on Instagram, in which he called his actions “foolish”.

“Yesterday in an act of complete foolishness, I stole a drink bottle lid from Queenstown Hunting & Fishing,” he began in the video. “It is a moment I am not proud of and one that I have deep regret and remorse for. I’ve apologised directly to the team at the store and we’ve rectified the situation.”

Ocean Alley rocker Lachlan Galbraith issued an apology for stealing. Picture: Instagram

Australian rock band Ocean Alley still have two gigs left to play in New Zealand. Picture: Instagram

“I’m sorry for disappointing our fans, the store and of course the band. My actions do not reflect on how we carry ourselves as a band.

“It is a moment I am not proud of at all and one that I have deep regret and remorse for,” the musician said.

“I have reached out to the team (store) directly, and we have rectified the situation.

“I am so sorry for disappointing all of our fans, the team at the store and of course the band.”

The store has since deleted the footage and thanked Galbraith for his public apology.

Hunting and Fishing store in Queenstown has since deleted the CCTV footage featuring Galbraith. Picture: Instagram

“We are in no way offering special treatment based on who the person is,” they wrote in part. “They have apologised, owned up and made the appropriate reparations. We in turn deleted the post as we would anyone who made the appropriate effort to rectify the situation.

“The embarrassment and aftermath of this particular event should be punishment enough.”

Ocean Alley was formed in the Northern Beaches of NSW in 2011 consisting of Baden Donegal, Angus Goodwin, Nic Blom and Mitch Galbraith, Lachlan’s brother.

The band will play at two more festivals in New Zealand this week – Shake and Bake on January 3 and Beach Break on January 5.

Originally published as Ocean Alley rocker Lachlan Galbraith issues apology after caught shoplifting in New Zealand