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Ten Charged During Retail Crime Blitz Across Sydney’s North Shore - Sydney, NSW
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NSW Police say 10 people were charged with 20 offences during a three-day operation targeting alleged retail crime across major shopping precincts in Sydney’s North Shore.
Ten people have been charged with a total of 20 offences following a three-day retail crime operation across Sydney's North Shore, according to the NSW Police Force. Operation Percentile was conducted from Thursday, September 17, to Saturday, September 19, across retail precincts including major shopping centres in the region.
The operation focused primarily on alleged shoplifting and was conducted with the assistance of retailers and loss-prevention staff. Police from the North Shore Police Area Command were supported by officers from several specialist commands, including Traffic and Highway Patrol, Police Transport Command, Youth Command, Gordon Region Enforcement Squad and North West Metropolitan Operation Kella.
Police said the operation resulted in 10 people being charged with 20 offences. A further 16 people received Criminal Infringement Notices, while 16 youth cautions were issued. Officers also conducted 64 business inspections and issued 25 move-on directions during the three-day operation.
Several incidents were highlighted by police following the operation. In one case, officers allegedly observed a 19-year-old man leaving a supermarket in Chatswood without paying for items. Police said a search allegedly located grocery items and clothing in his possession. He was subsequently charged with shoplifting and possessing goods suspected of being stolen and appeared before Hornsby Local Court on September 18.
In another incident, police responded to reports of thefts at retail stores in Chatswood. Officers later arrested a 28-year-old man and allegedly located several items believed to have been stolen. He was charged with three counts of shoplifting and was granted conditional bail, with a future court appearance scheduled.
Police also reported an incident at Chatswood Railway Station involving a 43-year-old man. Officers allegedly located two fireworks and a small quantity of heroin during a search. The man was issued a Court Attendance Notice relating to alleged possession of a prohibited drug and possession of an explosive in a public place.
A separate incident occurred at the railway station on Saturday evening. Police said they stopped a 35-year-old man after he allegedly travelled without a valid ticket. During a search, officers allegedly found a small quantity of methylamphetamine, clothing believed to have been stolen and a device allegedly used to remove anti-theft tags. The man was subsequently charged with several offences, including alleged drug possession and possession of suspected stolen goods.
The operation forms part of the NSW Police Force's broader efforts to address retail crime. Police said Operation Percentile is intended to detect, disrupt and deter offences affecting retailers, customers and workers.
Retail crime can include shoplifting, theft from businesses and other offences occurring within shopping precincts. Police worked directly with retailers and loss-prevention personnel during the operation to identify suspected offences and gather information.
The North Shore operation also involved transport locations such as Chatswood Railway Station, demonstrating that the policing activity extended beyond individual stores to surrounding areas where suspected offenders could move through the transport network.
NSW Police said cooperation between police and retailers remains important in identifying and reporting retail crime. Businesses are encouraged to report incidents to police so officers can investigate and identify suspected offenders.
The three-day operation has now concluded, with court proceedings continuing for some of those charged. The reported charges remain allegations unless and until proven in court.
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Ten people have been charged with a total of 20 offences following a three-day retail crime operation across Sydney's North Shore, according to the NSW Police Force. Operation Percentile was conducted from Thursday, September 17, to Saturday, September 19, across retail precincts including major shopping centres in the region.
The operation focused primarily on alleged shoplifting and was conducted with the assistance of retailers and loss-prevention staff. Police from the North Shore Police Area Command were supported by officers from several specialist commands, including Traffic and Highway Patrol, Police Transport Command, Youth Command, Gordon Region Enforcement Squad and North West Metropolitan Operation Kella.
Police said the operation resulted in 10 people being charged with 20 offences. A further 16 people received Criminal Infringement Notices, while 16 youth cautions were issued. Officers also conducted 64 business inspections and issued 25 move-on directions during the three-day operation.
Several incidents were highlighted by police following the operation. In one case, officers allegedly observed a 19-year-old man leaving a supermarket in Chatswood without paying for items. Police said a search allegedly located grocery items and clothing in his possession. He was subsequently charged with shoplifting and possessing goods suspected of being stolen and appeared before Hornsby Local Court on September 18.
In another incident, police responded to reports of thefts at retail stores in Chatswood. Officers later arrested a 28-year-old man and allegedly located several items believed to have been stolen. He was charged with three counts of shoplifting and was granted conditional bail, with a future court appearance scheduled.
Police also reported an incident at Chatswood Railway Station involving a 43-year-old man. Officers allegedly located two fireworks and a small quantity of heroin during a search. The man was issued a Court Attendance Notice relating to alleged possession of a prohibited drug and possession of an explosive in a public place.
A separate incident occurred at the railway station on Saturday evening. Police said they stopped a 35-year-old man after he allegedly travelled without a valid ticket. During a search, officers allegedly found a small quantity of methylamphetamine, clothing believed to have been stolen and a device allegedly used to remove anti-theft tags. The man was subsequently charged with several offences, including alleged drug possession and possession of suspected stolen goods.
The operation forms part of the NSW Police Force's broader efforts to address retail crime. Police said Operation Percentile is intended to detect, disrupt and deter offences affecting retailers, customers and workers.
Retail crime can include shoplifting, theft from businesses and other offences occurring within shopping precincts. Police worked directly with retailers and loss-prevention personnel during the operation to identify suspected offences and gather information.
The North Shore operation also involved transport locations such as Chatswood Railway Station, demonstrating that the policing activity extended beyond individual stores to surrounding areas where suspected offenders could move through the transport network.
NSW Police said cooperation between police and retailers remains important in identifying and reporting retail crime. Businesses are encouraged to report incidents to police so officers can investigate and identify suspected offenders.
The three-day operation has now concluded, with court proceedings continuing for some of those charged. The reported charges remain allegations unless and until proven in court.
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