Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) stock image. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph.
A man and woman have been arrested in Co Armagh, suspected of involvement in a shoplifting spree that saw goods to the value of £4,500 stolen from a number of stores.
The pair were arrested after security staff at a supermarket in the Millennium Way area of Lurgan recognised two people from a previous suspected shoplifting incident.
PSNI Inspector Jennings said: “Eagle-eyed security staff at a supermarket on Millennium Way reported that a man and a woman suspected of involvement in previous shoplifting at their store were on site at around 5.55pm on Friday January 2.
Items to the approximate value of £4500 [are] believed to have been taken
“Security staff had attempted to detain them, but they left the store. Officers located two persons matching the description provided on Hill Street, where they and their vehicle were searched.
“A bag full of suspected stolen goods was seized, alongside the vehicle.
“The man, aged 28, and the woman, aged 21, were arrested on suspicion of going equipped for theft and three counts of theft. They remain in custody at this time.
“The two are suspected of involvement in multiple thefts in Banbridge and Lurgan since New Year’s Eve, with items to the approximate value of £4,500 believed to have been taken.
“The Police Service of Northern Ireland remains committed to working with retailers, trade bodies, other government bodies, and local communities to tackle shoplifting.
“We would urge all business owners, employees and members of the public to report any concerns to police as soon as possible. We will use all of the tools at our disposal to identify and arrest offenders.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) stock image. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph.
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“Information provided by businesses and the community is vital in helping us form a picture of what is happening for retailers and develop a police response to tackle it head on, so please get in touch if you have any information or see anything in your local shop that causes you concern.
“To speak to police, please call 101, or 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, you can submit a report online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.”