Santa's naughty list: Cops arrest nearly a HUNDRED 'thieves caught stealing $10,000 worth of Christmas presents at Sydney shopping malls'
Police have arrested almost 100 people who allegedly stole almost $10,000 worth of presents in Sydney's CBD and eastern suburbs in the lead up to Christmas.
The four-day operation took place across major retail outlets in the Sydney CBD, Surry Hills, Glebe, Ultimo and Bondi from December 15 to December 18.
During the extensive festive season operation, police nabbed 97 alleged offenders, who were charged with 114 offences.
Of those arrested, 32 people were charged, 29 were handed Court Attendance Notices and 41 were issued Criminal Infringement Notices.
A shopper (pictured left) is questioned by police after leaving a retail store in Sydney this week
A selection of items (pictured above) retrieved by police as part of 'Operation Lightfingers'
Additionally, a dozen individuals were issued warnings and 12 young people were given youth cautions.
Over the course of the operation, police recovered stolen goods worth $9,860.
Among the arrests was a 31-year-old woman accompanied by a child, who was stopped by police outside a store at George Street, in Sydney's CBD, on December 17.
She was searched and police allegedly found a number of items worth a total of $235. The woman will appear at Downing Centre Local Court on January 20 2021.
A man, 25, will also appear in court early next year after police allegedly found him in possession of stolen property valued at nearly $630.
A magnetic security tag remover was also seized by officers.
Police chat to a woman (pictured left) as part of a four-day assignment targeting shoplifters in Sydney
Items retrieved includes clothes (pictured above), electronic goods, bags and perfume
Redfern Region Enforcement Squad Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell, said December tends to see an influx of brazen shoplifters each year.
'During this operation items that people attempted to steal included electronic goods, clothing, perfume, bags and groceries,' he said.
'With less than one week to go until Christmas, please do the right thing and if you see any suspicious behaviour, please report it.
'Retail theft continues to cost industries billions of dollars each year, which is why we remain committed to cracking down on those who attempt to take goods without paying for them.'
Police nabbed multiple offenders with many to appear in court to answer charges in 2021