Police have arrested 77 people during a blitz on retail theft at major shopping areas in Sydney.
Operation Lightfingers was conducted at a number of retail stores within Sydney CBD, Broadway and Bondi Junction between last Tuesday (9 June 2015) and Saturday (13 June 2015).
Police from Redfern Region Enforcement Squad, assisted by officers from Sydney City and Eastern Suburbs Local Area Commands, worked closely with security and loss preventions staff to target retail theft and fraud.
Over the five days, 77 people were arrested in relation to 104 offences, recovering more than $8130 in stolen goods.
Of the 77 people arrested, 21 were charged to appear in court, 34 were issued criminal infringement notices and ten others were issued with warnings. 12 juveniles received a formal youth caution.
- A 21-year-old man was arrested in a department store after allegedly stealing items. He was taken to Sydney City Station and charged with two outstanding warrants, two counts of shoplifting, goods in custody and custody of a knife. He was bail refused to appear at Central Local Court today (Saturday 13 June 2015).
- A 27-year-old man was charged after making alleged fraudulent transactions in a department store. He was charged with four counts of obtain benefit by deception, four counts of goods in custody, and stealing. The man was bail refused to appear at Central Local Court, where he was again refused bail.
Redfern Region Enforcement Squad Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell said that Operation Lightfingers is regularly run throughout the year to target light fingered opportunistic thieves.
“Every time we run this operation we are actively working with retailers in order to deter any shoplifters who think they might get away with stealing.
“The last five days shows that if you are shoplifting you will be caught, and this type of unlawful behaviour has consequences and will not be tolerated,” Bell said.