SHEPPARTON Police have arrested 39 alleged retail thieves in a two-day blitz as part of Operation Securus. Wednesday, June 10, saw 17 arrests, with 22 made the following day. Officers laid more than 80 charges relating to retail theft, drugs, weapons and bail.
“In the first month alone, local officers have arrested 64 people – that’s an average of almost two alleged thieves every day,” said Goulburn Valley Tasking and Coordination Inspector Anna Parkinson. “Not only are our officers looking to reduce this type of offending in local stores, they’re also targeting thieves who are aggressive and threaten staff. Employees should be able to go to work each day and not be threatened or made to feel scared.”
Loss prevention officers saw two men in tradesman’s clothing loading property into a van at a hardware store on Benalla Road. A search of their van uncovered more than $600 worth of building supplies believed to have been stolen. The 28-year-old Wallan man and 31-year-old South Morang man were arrested and charged with theft and possession of cannabis.
A woman was allegedly spotted placing several groceries into a bag at a self-serve checkout at a supermarket on Vaughan Street, but only scanning a small number of items. When stopped by officers, she allegedly became physically aggressive. The 19-year-old from Shepparton was charged with theft and assaulting police.
Loss prevention officers observed a man and a woman allegedly placing groceries into bags at a supermarket on the Goulburn Valley Highway in Kialla, without attempting to pay. The pair tried to flee but failed and were arrested. A search of their vehicle revealed a duffel bag containing hundreds of dollars’ worth of items, including groceries, alleged to have been stolen. The 30-year-old Shepparton man was charged with theft and breach prescribed condition of parole, while the 34-year-old Shepparton woman was released pending summons.
All have been bailed to appear in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on 4 September.
Operation Securus was established to not only prevent shoplifting offences across Greater Shepparton, but to target prolific thieves who use aggression and intimidation tactics in an attempt to get away with their crimes.
“Operation Securus will continue to drive down shoplifting across Shepparton, with more days of action planned over the coming weeks,” said Inspector Parkinson.
