Police have stepped up patrols at local malls in an effort to curb the shopliftings, purse snatchings and thefts from parked cars that plague stores and shoppers during the holiday season. As shoppers flock to the stores over the next week, police and mall officials say officers will be on patrol to deter and catch criminals. But they’re also encouraging people to be vigilant and take steps to protect themselves and their belongings.
| Shopping safety tips |
| » Pay attention to your surroundings; don’t talk on your phone in parking lots. |
| » If someone makes you uncomfortable, return to the store and ask for an escort. |
| » Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas. |
| » Lock car doors and hide packages in the trunk or under seats. |
| » Carry your purse as close to your body as possible. |
| » Don’t carry a lot of cash; pay by check, credit or debit card. |
| » Don’t overburden yourself with packages. |
| » Have your keys ready. |
| Source: D.C. and Montgomery County police |
Extra officers began patrolling Montgomery County shopping centers the day after Thanksgiving and will continue through Thursday. Some facilities have also hired off-duty officers to provide extra security, said Cpl. Dan Friz, a Montgomery County police spokesman.
And Fairfax County police said officers from the department’s retail anti-theft teams have recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise and have arrested more than 30 people in the past two weeks.
Recent shopping-related incidents reported in the region:
· A woman was robbed of two laptops she had just purchased while leaving the Apple Store in Georgetown. The suspects appeared to have been waiting for someone to leave the store with large bags, police said.
· A string of at least six purse snatchings in Germantown, including several at the Milestone Center. Police issued an alert about two men who stole a woman’s purse from her cart at the center’s Walmart, then used the stolen cards at a restaurant.
· The arrest of three New York men accused of using phony identification to set up iPhone accounts. Fairfax police found more than 50 stolen IDs and vehicle with a trunkload of iPhones that the men were allegedly planning to resell in New York.
• A 17-year-old boy who allegedly shoplifted items from the Macy’s at the Springfield Mall, then hit a 26-year-old man in the parking lot as he tried to flee the scene.
Ferris Kaplan, marketing director for the Fair Oaks Mall, said items most targeted for theft are apparel, electronics and fragrances.
“It’s usually small, portable things they think they can resell at a high value,” he said.
In one instance, Fairfax police said officers recovered one shoplifting ring’s haul of more than $58,000 in cologne, perfume and clothing stolen from local stores in a Prince William County hotel.
Continued vigilance is the best way for stores to prevent such rings from stealing items, officials said.
“One person will occupy or distract store associates and others will steal things,” Fairfax police spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell said. “Many retail employees are aware of that and we want to stay on top of it.”
