Incidents of shoplifting have been on a slight decline over the past five years, but it appears there has been a recent spike in the crime.
Guelph Police conducted a number of shoplifting investigations recently, and made six arrests in five separate incidents. Const. Chris Probst, police spokesperson, said shoplifting is not a particularly prevalent crime in the city, and it has decreased moderately in recent years.
“But it is something that we consistently deal with,” he said in an email response Tuesday morning. The police service works with private industry to aid in the prevention of shoplifting.
“Officers may make suggestions on various security measures,” he said. “Obviously, to speak specifically to those measures would not be wise.”
Guelph Police have investigated and laid charges in five shoplifting incidents so far this month. A 16-year-old male was the youngest person charged, and a 46-year-old man was the oldest.
On March 14, police were called to a business on Eramosa Road where there was a report of a theft. A 46-year-old man was arrested and charged with theft under $5,000 and breach of probation.
There were three other shoplifting incidents on March 14, one at a north end department store involving two 19-year-old men. Both were charged with theft under $5,000. Also on Monday, a shoplifting incident at a business on Eramosa Road lead to the arrest of 18-year-old female.
Monday evening, police responded to a call in the south end, where a 16-year-old male had been caught stealing. The youth was charged with theft under and resisting arrest.
And a 31-year-old man was also charged on March 7 after a shoplifting incident in the north end.
