Shoplifting syndicate may target new malls

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Police warned managements of newly opened malls and shopping centers of a shoplifting syndicate following the arrest of three alleged members.

"Newly opened malls and shopping centers are easy prey for shoplifters because their security have no experience in handling petty crime," said Jakarta Police detectives chief Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang on Monday.

Police detectives foiled a shoplifting attempt and arrested three men identified as AFK, 34; DB, 41; and GMS, 26; on Sunday evening.

Salempang said that it was the first time police managed to arrest organized shoplifters. He alleged that there were several other shoplifting syndicates operating in malls and shopping centers.

"The three suspects were arrested as they were about to get into a taxi in front of Carrefour hypermarket on Jl. M.T. Haryono, South Jakarta," he said.

Police failed to nab their four female accomplices who had already fled the scene in a Toyota Kijang minivan.

Salempang said that the shoplifters usually acted in a group of seven to 10 people. Each member of the group has a role, including diverting the attention of cashiers and security guards.

"They (the suspects) told investigators that they conducted their activities three times a week," said an investigator.

They named their fences only as Ronny and Kacung.

"The fences are the actual brain of this operation," the investigator said.

Police seized five cardboard boxes of tins of powdered milk as evidence. Each 800 gram tin of powdered milk is priced at Rp 117,000 (US$14).