Over the last fortnight the Launceston Police Shop Stealing Task Force has recovered in excess of $2,000 in stolen property, a significant amount of which has been immediately returned to the rightful owners.

A number of youth and adult offenders have been apprehended, charged with property related offences and prohibited from returning to the affected businesses. They have been presented to the courts and as a result are now subject to bail conditions which will assist in controlling future incidents of stealing as individuals and those which are committed as groups.

On Wednesday a 20-year-old woman from Invermay was arrested and charged with
10 stealing offences, one aggravated burglary offence and one dishonestly acquire a financial advantage with the total value of stolen property being $1,400. She was presented immediately to the courts and has been remanded in custody to appear at a later date.

Police have been actively involved in detecting the selling of stolen property online via social media with searches regularly being conducted at offending person’s homes.

This has been a significant contributor to the recovery of stolen property.

The prevention and detection of shop stealing continues to be a priority of Tasmania Police and the task force would like to thank retail operators and the community for their ongoing contribution to this effort.

Anyone with information which relates to shop stealing and the location of stolen or unlawfully obtained property is asked to contact the Task Force by calling the Launceston Police Station on 6777 3715 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au