Police in the Twin Cities metro area announced this week that they are conducting a special enforcement program to cut down on shoplifting and theft cases as the holidays draw nearer.
Area officers are partaking in a holiday enforcement effort known as “The Blitz” to hone in on “boosters” or professional shoplifters. They have a method to their madness, and Eagan police officer Jeff Thul explained what red flags officers look for before the thief even enters the store. Signs that suggest a person may be part of a shoplifting ring include:
- Having a temporary license plate.
- Parking near the back of the lot when there are plenty of open spaces in the middle or front.
- Driving a rental car.
- Groups of people walking into a store separately.
Officer Thul didn’t go into too much detail about what officers look for when watching subjects in a mall or in a store so as not to give away all their methods, but he did say the operation has been successful. In Maple Grove, officers in the operation stopped three women stealing more than $3,000 worth of merchandise from JC Penney, while a bust in Cottage Grove prevented a $4,000 theft. Officers also stated that arrests in Eagan and Edina both prevented thousands of dollars in merchandise loss.
Crackdown Continuing Through Christmas
The Christmas season provides shoplifters with more opportunity, as stores are stocked up on goods for the holiday season, and a better cover, as there are generally more shoppers out and about. To help cut down on shoplifting, the 36 agencies involved in Operation Blitz will continue their efforts through Christmas.
“We’re taking the relationships that have been built between law enforcement and the private sector and taking them to a new level,” said St. Paul Seargent Charlie Anderson, who also serves as the Executive Director of the Twin Cities Organized Retail Crime Association.
Sgt. Anderson said shoplifting is not a victimless crime, as oftentimes to proceeds help fuel the black market and drug trade, and it’s even been linked to human trafficking and terrorism.
“While it may not grab as many headlines the severity, the hurt, and the victimization that occurs at a societal level and a personal level is real and needs to be addressed,” Sgt. Anderson said.
The police aren’t going to release the arrest totals for Operation Blitz until after Christmas, but if the program is a success there may be a bigger push to increase penalties for organized retail theft, as police say oftentimes it’s the same individuals committing these crimes, and the current statutes don’t keep them in jail long enough.
