Two women arrested for shoplifting in 22 stores

Police announced on Friday that they have arrested two women who were believed to be behind 22 cases of shoplifting all over Hong Kong, with losses exceeding HK$57,000.

The police spokesman stated that they noticed a change in the model of physical retail stores, such as the introduction of self-checkouts, making it more convenient and attracting more customers but it also attracts thieves.

The Kowloon East Regional Headquarters launched Project STORESHIELD to combat store thieves last August, with 16 businesses participating in the scheme.

In the first half of this year, over 4,000 robberies occurred in Hong Kong, with over 700 of them occurring in the East Kowloon police district, a 12 and 19 percent increase, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Officers also notice that crime syndicates target large chain stores, pharmacies and supermarkets to thieve medicine, health supplements, cosmetic products and clothing to sell them for profit. 

The spokesman stated they had noticed a crime syndicate with non-Chinese members mainly targeting supermarkets and large chain stores with a big flow of people, who focused mostly on shoplifting medicine and health supplements, with members working both alone and in teams.

Based on the amount they were seen shoplifting, it is believed that it was not for personal use but for selling to foreign stores and other non-Chinese people.

The police combed through security camera footage and arrested two Nepalese women, both aged 43, who are believed to be involved in 22 cases of shoplifting all over Hong Kong from February to August, with around HK57,000 worth of medication and health supplements being stolen.

The officers also seized the clothing they wore during the crime and the items they had stolen.

The duo are currently remanded under police custody and will later be charged with theft. The case has been handed over to Kowloon East Regional Headquarters for follow-up.

The operation is ongoing, and the police are continuing to search for other stolen items.