An outspoken grocery store boss has publicly hit out at a pair of alleged thieves, who he accused of stealing costly cuts of meat by disguising them as birthday presents.
John-Paul Drake, director of Drakes Supermarkets, uploaded a video onto Instagram yesterday which reveals a person and a girl allegedly stealing packs of meat at shops in Adelaide’s north final month.
In a single alleged incident captured by safety cameras, a girl walks right into a Drakes wheeling a trolley with a big current wrapped in black wrapping paper.
Sporting a colored hoodie, black monitor pants and a pair of pink sneakers, the lady then meets a person who seems to be pushing one other trolley with a number of cuts of meat inside.
The footage then reveals the lady giving the person the current earlier than he locations it over the packs of meat.
A person and a girl (pictured) have been slammed for utilizing birthday presents as a disguise, to steal costly cuts of meat at a number of Drakes grocery store retailer in Adelaide final month
He then seems to swap his trolley with the lady who then walks previous the checkout moments later.
‘With my birthday simply across the nook, I actually thought they had been attempting to ship me a gift,’ a tongue-in-cheek Mr Drake advised the Adelaide Advertiser.
‘Think about my disappointment once they had been making merchandise disappear as a substitute.’
The couple allegedly stole a number of cuts of meat believed to be value lots of of {dollars} on 5 separate events at shops in Gawler, Gawler East, Salisbury North, Clovercrest and Golden Grove.
Throughout a go to to a different retailer, the lady is seen wheeling in one other massive current with a number of balloons tied to the highest of the field.
The balloons coated her face as she walked into the shop.
The pair had been seen in CCTV footage swapping their trolleys after the lady positioned the massive current (pictured) on prime of one other trolley that contained a number of packs of meat
Moments later, the lady walked out of the shop (pictured) with what gave the impression to be the current – beneath which packs of meat value lots of of {dollars} had been allegedly hidden
Mr Drake, who commonly uploads movies on social media calling out individuals who have allegedly stolen gadgets, notified police concerning the incidents.
The report back to the cops was made utilizing Auror, a surveillance know-how utilized by some supermarkets to detect theft in retail shops.
The information from these surveillance techniques might be equipped to police and different legislation enforcement companies.
Mr Drake advised the Right now Present on Wednesday morning that he discovered it obscure why the couple allegedly resorted to stealing the gadgets.
‘I’ve simply bought this concept that if you happen to’ve bought tattoos and Foxtel, you’ll be able to afford to purchase meals.’
A South Australia Police spokeswoman advised Every day Mail Australia that police have been made conscious of the matter.
‘Police are investigating a sequence of thefts from a grocery store chain throughout the northern suburbs that occurred in Might,’ the spokeswoman mentioned.
Mr Drake (centre) slammed the alleged shoplifters and advised the Right now Present on Wednesday morning that if individuals can afford ‘tattoos and Foxtel’, they’ll afford to pay for meals
The incidents come as police mentioned stories of shoplifting have elevated by 29 per cent since 2023.
In response to figures, 18,794 store thefts had been reported between April 2023 and March 2024 in contrast with 14,602 thefts that had been reported the earlier yr.
Nearly 60 per cent of shoplifting offences in South Australia occurred in Rundle Mall in Adelaide’s CBD.
Mr Drake mentioned extra individuals are stealing costly meals and merchandise resembling cosmetics, and that individuals are utilizing completely different tips in a bid to get away with the offence.
‘We’re seeing a rise within the theft of high-priced gadgets resembling premium cuts of meat and well being and sweetness traces, and individuals are undoubtedly getting extra brazen and artistic with their strategies,’ he mentioned.
Drakes Supermarkets shops has been focused repeatedly by alleged thieves.
One man was lately accused of taking cuts of premium meat at one Drakes retailer a whopping 27 occasions with out paying for the gadgets.
