Edmonton Police Report Alarming Surge in ‘Swarming’ Shoplifting Incidents!

In a concerning new trend, Edmonton Police Service is sounding the alarm over a spike in shoplifting incidents involving groups of young individuals swarming store employees. This bold criminal tactic has led to the theft of expensive merchandise, with a staggering thirty reports filed in recent months.

According to investigators, these incidents typically involve four or five teens, aged between 15 and 19, who approach employees under the guise of wanting to view perfumes, colognes, or other high-value items secured in glass display cases. Once the display case is opened, they suddenly overpower the employee, stealing large quantities of products, often accompanied by aggressive behavior, including shoving.

Authorities estimate that this organized spree of thefts involves about 40 to 50 distinct individuals. "Our investigators are diligently working to pinpoint and apprehend those responsible for these thefts," said Acting Staff Sgt. Justin Collis from the EPS robbery section. "So far, we have charged 16 individuals associated with these crimes, and alarmingly, seven of them have been implicated in multiple incidents, suggesting a well-established ring of offenders."

With the holidays fast approaching, the police are anticipating an uptick in these robberies and urging local businesses to bolster their security measures. To help merchants protect themselves from becoming victims of this brazen crime, the police have provided several practical tips:

Practical Tips for Merchants

- Only open locked display cases for individual customers rather than large groups.

- Always ensure that at least two employees are present when unlocking display cases.

- Immediately secure the case after a product has been removed for viewing.

Edmonton police are calling upon the community to remain vigilant. If you have any information related to these robberies, please don’t hesitate to reach out to EPS at 780-423-4567 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Stay Alert: The Next Wave of Crime Could Be at Your Store!