Police seize stolen goods and baby formula valued at $175,000 after shoplifting probe
- Four search warrants were executed at supermarkets and independent grocers
- Officers seized $55,000 cash, and baby formula, cosmetics and groceries
- Police arrested and charged a 28-year-old man, and two women, 26 and 52
- The trio are due to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Thursday
Stolen baby formula, cosmetics and groceries worth more than $175,000 has been seized by police.
NSW Police executed four search warrants after multiple supermarkets and independent grocers were targeted 21 times across Sydney last month.
Two businesses at Bankstown, a warehouse at Milperra, and a home in Condell Park, were searched just after 4pm on Wednesday.
Officers seized more than $55,000 cash, and stolen goods, including baby formula, cosmetics and groceries, with a total value of more than $175,000.
Baby formula (pictured) and cosmetics and groceries were found by police on Wednesday
Officers seized more than $55,000 cash after they executed four search warrants
A 28-year-old man and two women, 26 and 52, were arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station.
The man and younger woman were both charged with 15 counts of larceny, and six counts of dispose property-theft (serious indictable offence).
Police will allege in court that the pair stole baby formula and electric toothbrushes worth more than $10,000.
The older woman was charged with six counts of dispose property-theft (serious indictable offence), knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and goods suspected stolen in/on premises.
Police will allege in court that the woman was receiving the stolen goods to on-sell for financial benefit.
NSW Police executed four search warrants after multiple supermarkets and independent grocers were targeted 21 times across Sydney last month
A large haul of baby formula (pictured) was seized by police which saw three people arrested
Boxes of canned V and Red Bull was found during the search by police on Wednesday
The trio were all refused bail and are due to appear in Bankstown Local Court on Thursday.
Redfern Region Enforcement Squad Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell, said businesses should remain vigilant during the festive season.
‘Christmas is typically a very busy period in retail with an influx of shoppers, and this can often be seen as an opportunistic time for potential shoplifters to target stores while staff members are busy with customers,’ he said.
‘I can assure the community that we are committed to continuing our operations targeting shoplifting and that this sort of criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.’
Redfern Region Enforcement Squad Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell, said businesses should remain vigilant during the festive season (pictured: stolen goods)