SHEPPARTON, VIC. — A two-day operation has caught 35 alleged shoplifters in Shepparton and Mooroopna’s retail precincts, fifteen of whom are accused of being repeat offenders.
Local police from the Operation Securus team partnered with Loss Prevention Officers across several shopping hubs to stop thieves in their tracks from September 10 to 11.
On Thursday, September 10, police made 18 arrests, with another 17 on Friday, September 11. More than 83 charges have been collectively laid.
Arrests of note include:
- It is alleged a 33-year-old Shepparton man stole groceries from a supermarket on the corner of Maude and Vaughan streets in Shepparton before fleeing from police. He was arrested on Wyndham Street and charged with 15 offences, including theft and several counts of failing to appear at court-related matters. The man was remanded in custody to appear in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on October 19.
- A 33-year-old Mooroopna man was arrested after Loss Prevention Officers witnessed him allegedly stealing goods from a department store on Benalla Road, Shepparton. Operation Securus members allegedly located the stolen items and a traffickable quantity of methylamphetamine on the man. He was charged with six offences, including trafficking and possessing methylamphetamine, theft, handling stolen goods and committing an indictable offence while on bail. He appeared at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, September 15 and was bailed to reappear at a later date.
Eight people received cautions for shoplifting, while another five were issued with Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for riding e-scooters within designated areas in the CBD, failing to wear helmets, and antisocial behaviour offences.
More than 150 arrests have been made in total since the effort began in May.
Police will allege the cohort is responsible for almost $50,000 in stolen items from local shops, with the majority returned to the stores.
Almost 30% of those arrested throughout the operation are recidivist offenders, with one woman arrested 17 times since the operation’s implementation.
Operation Securus was established to prevent shoplifting offences across Greater Shepparton and target prolific thieves who use aggression and intimidation tactics in an attempt to get away with their crimes.
