By Aaron Cordy
VICTORIAN Police undertook Operation Mosaic, targeting retail theft at Bunnings and Coles in Shepparton and Kialla, across Saturday and Sunday, December 13 and 14, catching 11 people stealing from the retail chains.
“Retail theft is not a victimless crime. We know it makes staff feel unsafe, but it also impacts the ability for small independent businesses to make a living,” said Proactive Policing Unit Senior Sergeant Shane Biderman.
Since Operation Mosaic launched in July 2024, more than 140 arrests for shop theft and other related crimes. Retail theft remains one of the fastest-growing crimes in Victoria, rising by 27 per cent in the last 12 months.
Despite the rise in retail theft, Sergeant Biderman could not attribute any one factor like the cost-of-living crisis, as the reason for the rise.
“The scenarios that we had over the weekend were predominantly people going to barbecues and social gatherings and trying to steal meat. So, the reason behind it fluctuates, I think, from person to person,” said Sergeant Biderman.
“Every single person that we dealt with over the last two days, we did offer them referrals at the end, and not one person took us up on that or indicated that they were going through any financial hardship or reasoning as to why they were committing any offence.”
Eleven people were caught shoplifting, including:
A 29-year-old Shepparton man who allegedly stole more than $190 worth of groceries from a supermarket in Shepparton. He was issued with an official caution.
A 36-year-old Shepparton man who allegedly stole more than $60 worth of barbecue products from a supermarket in Kialla. He is expected to be charged on summons with shop theft.
A 26-year-old Epping man was arrested for stealing packaged meat from a supermarket in Shepparton. He was also wanted on an outstanding warrant. The man was charged and bailed to appear before the court at a later date.
Eight others caught were issued with official cautions or warnings for shop theft.
