Edmonton police are warning businesses to watch out for shoplifters during the holiday season, especially stores selling luxury goods such as perfume and cologne.
Investigators tell CityNews a new trend sees a group of four to five teen suspects enter a business and ask to view a perfume that is in a display case. Then they swarm the store employee and steal several products, shoving the employee out of the way.
Police say there have been 30 cases of this new swarming theft trend, believed to be committed by an estimated 40-50 different suspects.
“Sixteen people have been charged in this cluster of thefts,” Acting Staff Sgt. Justin Collins said in a news release. “Of those, seven were involved in more than one occurrence, so we have a large group of individuals committing these theft offences. We are also working closely with the business sector to ensure they are aware of this trend.”
Investigators believe the trend will continue and are asking businesses to be vigilant and review their security practices. Businesses are encouraged to open locked cases only for individuals – and not groups – and ensure at least two employees are present at all times.