Christmas shoplifting blitz nabs more than 120 alleged thieves
More than 120 alleged shoplifters have been arrested as part of a NSW police crackdown.
At the same time, retailers have revealed how thieves are no longer old school.
Instead of offloading goods cheaply in a pub or off the back of a truck, they’ve found a new way to get full value.
One man caught on video went into Myer to get a stereo that he did not intend to pay for.
Another would-be opportunist was handcuffed and made to do the walk of shame through the underwear department by plainclothed police in the operation.
“It’s quite distressing for a number of our small and medium sized businesses,” Dominque Lamb from the National Retailers Association said.
Last Tuesday to Saturday police sprang 123 alleged shoplifters at stores in Sydney, Surry Hills, Waterloo, Zetland and Bondi Junction during Operation Lightfingers.
They included a man allegedly caught in a King Street store who was tasered after pulling a knife on an officer.
“[There are] those who believe that at this time of year, they can take part in retail theft with ease because they can hide amongst the crowd,” Detective Acting Inspector Matt Crematy said.
Officers recovered more than $11,000 worth of goods like jewellery, perfume and electrical goods, which would most likely be sold online.
But stores are also wary of another big trend.
“They’ll steal from one store and take it back to another store to refund it and get the cash,” Det Acting Insp Crematy said.
Theft and fraud cost the NSW retail industry almost $2 billion last financial year.
A large part of that was spent on hiring 25 per cent more security and better training for staff on how to spot those with sticky fingers
