Murrumbidgee Proactive Crime Team have successfully conducted a covert operation targeting Griffith's shoplifting scourge, making an arrest and issuing a number of tickets.
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Officers in plain clothes canvassed shopping centers on Thursday, personally witnessing three brazen thieves in just one day.
While BOCSAR statistics show Griffith's theft from retail stores trend is stable, it's just over 100 incidents more on average than NSW's population per 100,000.
Our Local Government Area's incident rate has seen a slight increase, however, from 114 cases to 122.
Four people came before Griffith Local Court this week charged with shoplifting offences, with another four slotted to appear next week.
During the plain-clothes operation, one 41-year-old Griffith woman was arrested after an altercation with police who confronted her for shoplifting.
When officers saw her leaving a store without going to the checkout first, they approached and introduced themselves as police.
She denied having stolen anything, yet upon searching her black backpack, police found 17 items still in their packaging.
I am proud with the results from the operation, and hope it will serve as a warning for potential offenders that police are out there and will continue with the operations throughout the year.
- Crime Manager Tim Clark
The woman then became aggressive, allegedly telling officers to "hurry the f*** up" and calling them offensive names.
When she was told she'd be issued a ticket for stealing, her aggression increased, and police handcuffed her and escorted her to the station.
The woman was charged with stealing from retail stores, offensive behaviour in a public place, and resist/hinder officers in execution of their duty.
Two other people will be receiving court infringement notices for stealing offences as a result of the operation.
Crime Manager Detective Inspector Tim Clark was pleased with the results, and said potential offenders should be aware similar operations will be conducted.
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"I am proud with the results from the operation, and hope it will serve as a warning for potential offenders that police are out there and will continue with the operations throughout the year," he said.
These operations will continue through the school holidays and throughout the remainder of 2020.
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