A new retail theft team has arrested two dozen of Melbourne's most prolific alleged retail thieves in a little over a month.
The operation, called STAND, launched in the Melbourne and Yarra council areas in July to target violent, aggressive and intimidating behaviour towards retail staff.
It sees a dedicated team of police work daily with major and independent retailers to identify thieves who threaten safety and hold them to account.
The ongoing operation has already led to 24 thieves being arrested - eight of them arrested twice.
There have been 478 charges laid, and around $97,000 worth of stolen goods seized.
This includes luxury perfumes, designer clothes and high-end skincare products.
Those arrested have allegedly stolen more than $200,000 worth of goods from CBD, Richmond and Collingwood stores this year alone.
Stolen items are typically on-sold for profit.
Key arrests include:
• A 36-year-old man who was arrested on 24 July for allegedly stealing almost $100,000 worth of luxury clothes, handbags and beauty products from high end stores in the CBD over the last six months. When confronted by staff, the man allegedly became aggressive and verbally abusive. During search warrants, police located allegedly stolen luxury perfumes, designer clothes, high end skin care products and bedding. The Footscray man was charged with 41 offences including 35 counts of theft, handling stolen goods and dealing with the proceeds of crime. He was remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 6 September.
• A 33-year-old man who was arrested on 16 July for allegedly stealing more than $3,300 worth of products from supermarkets and liquor stores in the Richmond area. When approached by staff, the man would allegedly become verbally aggressive and physically intimidating. The Richmond man was charged with 15 counts of shoptheft was remanded until 5 August.
• A 45-year-old man who was arrested on 20 August for allegedly stealing almost $10,000 worth of goods from CBD clothing and liquor stores between July and August this year. Police will allege the man spat at retail staff when approached and would verbally threaten them with injury if they tried to intervene. The Prahran man was charged with 45 offences including aggravated assault, unlawful assault, shop steal, criminal damage, loiter with the intent to commit an indictable offence, assault with a weapon and threats to inflict serious injury. He was remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 2 September.
• A 27-year-old man who was arrested on 29 August after he allegedly stole more than $2,000 worth of food and other products from multiple convenience stores in the CBD between July and August. When confronted by staff on 29 July, the man allegedly armed himself with a large pair of scissors before taking off on foot. The Richmond man was charged with eight counts of shop steal and bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 3 October.
As part of the operation, police have been using an online platform to engage regularly with 23 retailers who have multiple stores across the CBD.
The platform - designed to streamline communication - means retailers can notify STAND directly when a non-urgent incident occurs.
The notification instantly provides police with important information such as CCTV and descriptions of offenders.
On top of responding to incidents, the STAND team has proactively attended more than 58 stores to engage with retail staff and deter theft.
This includes independent retailers who too are a priority of STAND.
Operation STAND launched on 15 July and will remain ongoing in the Melbourne and Yarra areas.
Quotes attributable to Operation STAND Police Commander, Superintendent Brett Kahan:
"Retail theft might sound like a victimless crime, but that couldn't be further from the truth.
"Retail staff have long been dealing with intimidating, aggressive and violent behaviour and it was time we took a stand against it.
"Because of STAND, 24 prolific and allegedly violent retail thieves have been arrested and we have more closely in our sights.
"To the people who think they can steal and use intimidation tactics to get away with it, know that your time is up, and you will be held to account.
"Everyone deserves to feel safe at work, so we will continue to run this operation until that is the case."
