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If you were flying from Oslo, Norway to NYC on United today ... you would be plenty pissed off, because the plane was delayed for an hour while police dealt with a little shoplifting incident involving Sarah Jessica Parker's assistant.

Sources who work at the airport tell TMZ ... Sarah -- seen above arriving at the United terminal -- and her entourage were ready to board the plane when they were confronted by cops, who were called after an airport shop owner claimed one of Sarah's minions pilfered a pair of expensive sunglasses.

Police blocked the assistant from boarding and worked out a settlement of sorts -- a fine of $1,400, which was paid on the spot.  We're told Sarah and the assistant then got on board and the plane took off.

That's what you get for horsing around in Norway.