Retail investigators, police make 50 shoplifting arrests, recover stolen vehicle and $12,000 worth of drugs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. Dec 4 2017
Louisville Metro police, the Kentucky Organized Retail Crime Association and more than 15 retailers put together a joint task force to attack shoplifting at the Mall St. Matthews, Oxmoor Mall and Springhurst Shopping Center around this time each year.
The three-day sting led to more than 50 arrests and more could come.
Police said they found $12,000 worth of drugs on different suspects and even recovered one stolen car.
The blitz targeted shoplifters at retailers including Walmart, Macy’s and Toys R Us.
Store loss prevention officers patrolled aisles in plainclothes, looking for shoplifters. They texted police officers waiting outside, who intercepted the suspects as they left.
“We saw everything from a $200 nailgun from Lowe’s taken to people under-ringing beer at Kroger, where they would ring in the beer at the self checkout, but they wouldn’t ring in all the items. So, we just saw everything running the gamut. There is not one item, it’s kind of been amazing,” Louisville Metro police Maj. Jamey Schwab said.
Shoppers said they’re impressed with the results.
“I think it’s pretty incredible, actually,” shopper Chris Murphy said. “It makes
it to where these stores … don’t have to lose any money.”
Another shopper said he supports the police operation.
“I think people … come up with sneakier ways to do the shoplifting,” shopper Keith
Dorton said. “Then I think the police have to accommodate for that by coming up
with sneakier ways to catch them.”
The partners said the operation was so successful that they plan on doing it again.
WLKY
