Alleged crime syndicate swipes over $300,000 worth of stolen goods from major supermarkets
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Shoppers beware—organised retail crime is rising in Victoria, and major supermarket chains are finding themselves the victims of sophisticated theft networks.
A suspected crime syndicate has recently plundered over $300,000 worth of goods from Coles, Woolworths and other retailers, Victoria Police confirmed this week.
Police first became aware of the retail theft ring in June, when two men were caught stealing $240,000 of high-end wine from delivery trucks bound for supermarkets in the Truganina area.
This discovery prompted a larger investigation that has since uncovered a network of at least nine people systematically stealing huge quantities of products from stores to resell to smaller businesses for less than the retail price.
'We are finding people are making lists to order...and then the thieves will go out and steal those goods, then go back to the retail outlet to purchase,' said Acting Superintendent Rhonda Brown.
'[It includes] baby products, electrical goods, health and beauty vitamins. Ultimately, the community suffers. We create an unsafe environment, and the prices rise for the purchase of their goods.'
Among those arrested, a 67-year-old woman has been accused of being a part of the syndicate. Seven other individuals are also facing charges related to theft.
These alleged criminals range in age from 30 to 67 years old. Additionally, two business owners have been charged with receiving the stolen goods, and one of them is a 67-year-old residing in St Albans.
Victoria Police have successfully recovered over $300,000 worth of stolen goods during the course of this investigation.
The police have also cautioned small business owners, advising them to exercise caution when considering the purchase of items that might be linked to these alleged thefts.
'When you're being offered those lower priced items, please don't take them... Because your door may be the next one we're knocking on,' warned Brown.
This news follows a recent report indicating that about one in eight Australians have confessed to engaging in theft during the past year.
This came from a survey conducted by Finder, which revealed that approximately 2.4 million Australians have turned to minor criminal activities as a result of the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The study reported that 5% of Australians have admitted to theft, specifically at supermarket self-checkouts. Some were also deliberately under-scanning items to pay less than they should.
For more information, read the full article here.
With the holiday season approaching, this retail crime wave is a worrying trend. Beware, members! We hope you found this news helpful. What are your thoughts? Have you seen or heard of anything similar in your local supermarket branches?
A suspected crime syndicate has recently plundered over $300,000 worth of goods from Coles, Woolworths and other retailers, Victoria Police confirmed this week.
Police first became aware of the retail theft ring in June, when two men were caught stealing $240,000 of high-end wine from delivery trucks bound for supermarkets in the Truganina area.
This discovery prompted a larger investigation that has since uncovered a network of at least nine people systematically stealing huge quantities of products from stores to resell to smaller businesses for less than the retail price.
Victoria Police has confirmed that an alleged criminal organisation focused on major supermarket chains has looted over $300,000 worth of stolen merchandise. Credit: Nine News.
'We are finding people are making lists to order...and then the thieves will go out and steal those goods, then go back to the retail outlet to purchase,' said Acting Superintendent Rhonda Brown.
'[It includes] baby products, electrical goods, health and beauty vitamins. Ultimately, the community suffers. We create an unsafe environment, and the prices rise for the purchase of their goods.'
Among those arrested, a 67-year-old woman has been accused of being a part of the syndicate. Seven other individuals are also facing charges related to theft.
These alleged criminals range in age from 30 to 67 years old. Additionally, two business owners have been charged with receiving the stolen goods, and one of them is a 67-year-old residing in St Albans.
Victoria Police have successfully recovered over $300,000 worth of stolen goods during the course of this investigation.
The police have also cautioned small business owners, advising them to exercise caution when considering the purchase of items that might be linked to these alleged thefts.
'When you're being offered those lower priced items, please don't take them... Because your door may be the next one we're knocking on,' warned Brown.
This news follows a recent report indicating that about one in eight Australians have confessed to engaging in theft during the past year.
This came from a survey conducted by Finder, which revealed that approximately 2.4 million Australians have turned to minor criminal activities as a result of the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The study reported that 5% of Australians have admitted to theft, specifically at supermarket self-checkouts. Some were also deliberately under-scanning items to pay less than they should.
For more information, read the full article here.
With the holiday season approaching, this retail crime wave is a worrying trend. Beware, members! We hope you found this news helpful. What are your thoughts? Have you seen or heard of anything similar in your local supermarket branches?
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