ACT Policing’s Crime Disruption Team has arrested a 31-year-old Farrer woman for eight shoplifting incidents where she allegedly stole goods totaling more than $38,000. The woman is due to face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Thursday, 9 April 2020).
On Monday, 16 December 2019, police executed a search warrant on a Calwell residence for a matter unrelated to the woman. During the warrant police located a large amount of hair and beauty products which were later identified as those stolen from a hair and beauty supply store in Mitchell.
Following further investigations, police executed a second warrant on a Farrer residence yesterday (Wednesday, 8 April 2020) and recovered more hair care products which were also identified as stolen from a hair and beauty supply store in Mitchell.
Police will allege the woman was involved in the following thefts:
- On Tuesday, 29 October 2019, $3655.71 of grocery items from a supermarket in Franklin.
- On Saturday, 9 November 2019, 88 items worth $8296.45 from a hair and beauty store in Mitchell.
- On Saturday, 23 November 2019, 177 items worth $7396.85 from the same hair and beauty store in Mitchell, entering and leaving the premises three times via a loading dock.
- On Saturday, 30 November 2019, a further 209 items worth $13 605.32 from the hair and beauty store in Mitchell.
- On Monday, 13 January 2020, cigarettes worth $2577.25 from a bottle shop in Wanniassa.
- On Wednesday, 22 January 2020, cigarettes worth $775.40 from a bottle shop in Calwell.
- On Thursday, 23 January 2020, cigarettes and alcohol worth $1608.50 from a bottle shop in Franklin.
- On Thursday, 23 January 2020, cigarettes worth $276 from a bottle shop in Dunlop.
The total value of the items stolen, including those recovered, was $38 191.48.
Police believe the woman committed most of these thefts in concert with several co-offenders or people know who they are. Investigations into the thefts are ongoing and police urge the co-offenders to come forward to police.
The woman will be charged with four counts of joint commission of theft, three counts of joint commission of minor theft and one count of theft.
Police will oppose any requests for further bail.