Walgreens and Safeway suspected shoplifters arrested in ‘anti-theft blitzes’

More than 60 individuals have been arrested after over shoplifting at several popular retailers in San Francisco as part of an ‘anti-theft blitz’ campaign.

The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) said the arrests took place as part of their scheme to tackle theft in retail stores between May and July of this year.

The campaign took place on several blocks in the city where businesses were experiencing a high number of thefts – stores on these blocks included Walgreens and Safeway.

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This comes as anti-theft measures are increasing in stores around the country, with National Retail Federation’s 2023 security survey indicating that organized theft was responsible for $112.1 billion in losses.

Officers from the Ingleside Station were involved in the operation which aimed to “help reduce retail thefts and to hold people who commit these crimes accountable”.

“Blitz operations involved coordinated efforts of uniformed and plainclothes officers who wait to arrest criminals inside a partner business,” a police spokesperson said.

“The stolen property was seized by officers during the operation and returned to the stores.”

SFPD confirmed that a total of 61 arrests were made during the blitz operations.

“One suspect was booked at San Francisco County Jail for robbery,” they said.

“One suspect was booked at San Francisco County Jail for burglary 2nd degree, probation violation and grand theft.

“Nine were booked at San Francisco County Jail for outstanding warrants in addition to the on-view theft charges.

“Fifty-two suspects were cited for shoplifting and released at the scene,” they added.

The police department said that they will continue to conduct blitz operations throughout San Francisco and has called on any businesses wishing to take part in the scheme to contact their Retail Theft Squad.