A 20-year-old woman's in custody - after a can of energy drink was thrown at Waikato supermarket staff

Police say the woman was trying to steal a cask of wine in Huntly yesterday afternoon - and fled on foot.

She faces eight charges in Hamilton District Court today - including six for shoplifting.

Police say that same day, two women and three children stole 500-dollars of groceries from a Hamilton supermarket.

Woolworths has reported assaults on staff have risen 50-percent year on year.