Geraldton police arrest shoplifters on the spot in plain clothing operation at Northgate Shopping Centre

The person you are shopping next to could be an undercover cop now that Geraldton police have launched a new operation to target theft in shopping centres. Officers in plain clothes will be working undercover in shopping centres in a new tactic to curb the constant scourge of shoplifting within the community. The operation launched on Thursday at Northgate Shopping Centre, with police officers stationed at the centre and working alongside security guards, store staff and centre management to arrest thieves on the spot. Officer in charge Sen. Sgt Russell Hurst said over four days, undercover officers on the ground responded to eight incidents. So far, police have arrested and charged seven women, one man in his 50s, one 16-year old girl and two juvenile boys, and are on the hunt for another five suspects. “We’ve had some significant thefts, some around the $1000 mark, some around the $250 mark. There’s been some minor incidents where people have been arrested for stealing small-value goods but carried on in a disorderly manner when being arrested,” he said. “Officers have assisted security in removing people conducting antisocial behaviour, such as riding scooters through stores, generally hanging around where they shouldn’t be.” Sen. Sgt Hurst said the operation proved how working collaboratively and reporting incidents to police could reduce harm in the community. “Police will be continuing these operations throughout the Mid West and hold these people accountable,” he said. As of Tuesday, 11 people — seven women, one man, one juvenile girl and two juvenile boys — had been charged with stealing and disorderly behaviour offences as part of the operation. Most will appear in court next month. On Monday, March 11, a 30-year-old woman allegedly filled her shopping trolley with more than $600 in groceries at Woolworths Seacrest and attempted to leave without paying when a staff member took hold of the trolley. Police said the accused threw a jar of coffee at a staff member’s chest and continued to exit the store. A second struggle occurred near the shopping centre entrance, resulting in the trolley slamming into the glass entry gate and causing it to shatter. The woman was charged with assault with intent to commission a crime, stealing and unlawful damage. On Wednesday, March 6, police allege a woman entered a supermarket on Chapman Road and filled a trolley with goods worth about $1000 and walked out without paying. Police are seeking anyone with information on the suspect to contact police. Acting OIC Sen. Sgt Paul Johnson said the operation aimed to target this type of theft and harm in the community and Geraldton police were taking a zero-tolerance approach to this behaviour.