![]() ![]() Stores like CVS, Ulta Beauty, The Home Depot and Dick’s Sporting Goods have taken measures to combat crimes, some by locking up specific items of merchandise.ĭick’s had high-end baseball gloves tagged with alarm sensors and secured to the wall during a recent visit. The retailers also have their own anti-theft strategies. Some of the stores have in-house staff dedicated to loss prevention. ![]() The theft of Zyrtec, an antihistamine, is “becoming a more common trend at certain stores in our state,” the post noted.ĭuring the busy holiday shopping season, officers walk the stores and otherwise make their presence known in an attempt to deter crime and provide a sense of security to customers, the chief said. This past Wednesday, the department asked Facebook users to share a post “far and wide” as they seek to identify three males accused of stealing approximately $4,000 worth of Zyrtec pills from the BJ's store on Cross Road and fleeing in a car bearing a Pennsylvania license plate that had been stolen from New York City. If the suspects are local, police may know them or identify them easily, resulting in a relatively short investigation.īut if a store is a victim of organized retail theft, in which a group of people conspire to steal and resell items, “often times these subjects are experienced in tactics which make it more difficult to solve,” Balestracci said, and the police often have to work with state, local or federal agencies. “Depending on the incident, we may spend significant time solving a theft or a very short amount of time.” “Throughout the year, we spend considerable time working with our retail partners in town to ensure they have safe locations and that crime is prevented, investigated and solved,” said Balestracci. The police keep up on the latest larceny tools and trends and nurture their relationships with local businesses. The remainder of the investigations are listed as “suspended/inactive.” Retailers declined to file charges in 143 cases 18 were false alarms and 16 remain active. ![]() The department made arrests in 261 of the cases. Walmart Supercenter at 155 Waterford Parkway North keeps the department busiest, with 143 larceny incidents reported since January 2021.ĭuring that 2.5-year time frame, the town’s police department has handled about 560 calls for larceny, including shoplifting, according to information provided in response to a Freedom of Information request. The town is vulnerable to retail theft due to the sheer number of big box and other stores in town, including Crystal Mall ― though diminished in recent years ― and Waterford Commons. “We have found tremendous value in this process as our community has proven many times that they are willing to assist our agency in solving these crimes,” said Balestracci, who was interviewed by email and phone. Police Chief Marc Balestracci writes most of the posts. Police handle hundreds of shoplifting cases each year, and sharp social media scrollers have shown they’re willing to help out. The Facebook status was updated later with, “Thank you all very much, the subject has been positively identified.” The Waterford Police Department’s Facebook post showed a surveillance photo and indicated the man left in a small red truck, similar to the size of a Ford Ranger. This past week, the “subject” was a man accused of stealing $741.47 worth of Red Bull and 5-Hour energy drinks from Stop and Shop on May 22. The posts usually begin with, “Assistance needed to identify,” and continue with a description of a “subject” and what they allegedly stole. Waterford ― If you follow the town’s police department on Facebook, you’ve seen the posts accompanied by surveillance photos of suspected shoplifters. ![]() A Waterford patrol car parked in front of The Home Depot at 816 Hartford Turnpike, a hot spot for shoplifting here and across the nation. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |