Memphis has been experiencing a wave of shoplifting incidents within the past week, as outlined in a series of social media posts from the Memphis Police Department. On June 25th, the Burlington Coat Factory on Stage Road was hit when a suspect reportedly entered, filled three backpacks with items, and exited through an emergency door without paying; the stolen goods were worth approximately $1,000, the Memphis Police Department reported.
The same day, Gordin's Butcher Shop on Thomas Street became another target for thieves with two different instances of shoplifting occurring within hours of each other, costing the shop nearly $40 in ground beef and loin ribs, the posts detailed, while Dollar General stores at Covington Pike and James Road also reported thefts on June 28th and 27th respectively, with suspects making off with items totaling over $200 in value, security concerns are being raised by these incidents and the seemingly brazen nature of the shoplifters who casually walked past the last point of sale.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to be proactive in contacting the Austin Peay Station General Investigation Bureau at 901-636-4870, in hopes that community involvement will help deter the current trend and lead to arrests.
As businesses and local law enforcement grapple with the situation, the economic impact on the stores including the less quantifiable damage to consumer confidence constitutes a pressing concern, public response to the social media appeals by the Memphis Police will be crucial in bringing these incidents to a close as the community watches and waits for a resolution to the spate of petty crimes shadowing their everyday commerce.
