Crime Stoppers campaign identifies suspected shoplifters after releasing more than 60 images

A shoplifting crackdown has led to multiple arrests as authorities release the photos of alleged thieves caught on camera. See the 22 suspects police are still trying to find.

Multiple arrests have been made and more are expected to come as South Australian authorities crack down on a surge in shoplifting.

The images of more than 60 suspected thieves were released in a new campaign – with one of the people identified even handing themselves into police.

Of the alleged thieves revealed in the joint campaign between South Australian Police and Crime Stoppers, a third have now been identified following a flood of reports and three have been charged.

More charges and arrests are expected as police work through security camera footage to identify repeat offenders as part of a specialised operation.

But 22 suspected shoplifters captured at chemists, tool shops and post offices across the city are yet to be identified.

THE SUSPECTS YET TO BE IDENTIFIED

Suspected of stealing items from Edge Clothing at Noarlunga on November 15, 2022.

Suspected of stealing multiple handbags from Strandbags at Noarlunga on November 14, 2022.

Suspected of stealing items from Chemist Warehouse at Torrensville on November 16, 2022.

Suspected of stealing cosmetics at Chemist Warehouse in the Central Market on October 31, 2022.

Suspected of stealing items from the Australia Post store at Arkaba Village at Fullarton on November 18, 2022.

Suspected of stealing alcohol from First Choice Liquor at Hindmarsh on October 27, 2022.

Suspected of stealing multiple items from Total Tools at Windsor Gardens on November 14, 2022.

Suspected of stealing items from the OTR store at Clovelly Park on September 6, 2022.

Suspected of stealing various items from Bunnings at Woodville on November 2, 2022.

Suspected of stealing alcohol from BWS at Northpark on November 7, 2022.

Suspected of stealing clothes from Beaches Apparel at Colonnades on November 17, 2022.

Suspected of stealing alcohol from BWS at Northpark on November 7, 2022.

Suspected of stealing alcohol from Dan Murphy’s at Gepps Cross on November 12, 2022.

Suspected of stealing items from Aldi at Plympton on October 14, 2022.

Suspected of stealing alcohol from BWS at Ridleyton on November 5, 2022.

Suspected of stealing cosmetics from Chemist Warehouse in Adelaide Central Plaza on November 10, 2022.

Suspected of stealing multiple items from Big W in Cumberland Park on November 7, 2022.

Suspected of stealing alcohol from BWS at Tea Tree Plaza on November 8, 2022.

The campaign came as the number of thefts from shops reported to police spiked by almost 20 per cent – while other forms of theft all fell in the same time period.

Police statistics up until November 2022 showed there had been 13,567 thefts from shops in the 12 months since November 2021 – an increase of 2148 or 19 per cent.

Police metropolitan operations support co-ordinator Inspector Julian Coram said the identification of the alleged shoplifters was a first step in revealing the web of people who purchased stolen goods and facilitated the crimes.

“Now we can put a name to many of the faces of the suspects profiled in the campaign we can develop a far clearer picture about how they operate, where they target, what they steal, who their associates are and who is buying their illegal haul of goods,” he said.

“The information received has helped to identify 20 suspected thieves who had been flying under the radar, and with about a dozen ongoing investigations we expect others to be identified in the course of time.

“A number of identified suspects are thought to be involved in other crimes which are also now being investigated, which would not have been possible without Crime Stoppers and the support of the public.”

Crime Stoppers SA chief executive Nigel Smart said that though the operation was technically complete – the images of the unidentified suspects would remain online.
“Even though the initial phase of our campaign has finished we are still receiving tips from people who want to help – and with shoplifting still a serious crime of concern across SA we are now exploring what more we can do to help police,” he said.

Police Minister Joe Szacaks said the results of the campaign should leave no doubt that shoplifting will not be tolerated by police and the SA community as a whole.

“These individuals are often taking advantage of hard working local business owners, and can expect that their selfish actions will be reported to Crimestoppers and SA Police,” he said.

“I’m pleased to see the strong and positive reaction to this campaign, which stands as a warning to potential shoplifters that members of the public are prepared to call you out so that you face consequences for your actions.”