SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane Police Department arrested 22 people in just seven hours who attempted to shoplift.
During the holiday season there is an increase in shoplifting and thefts.
Spokane police will be conducting a series of shoplifting emphasis patrols. They will be working with local stores to address this issue.
In 2021 alone, the state of Washington has lost nearly $3 billion to merchandise thefts, but shoplifting isn’t the only crime.
Car break in’s have become very common. Corporal Nick Briggs says that residents need to make sure they take valuables out of their cars.
Briggs says that many people forget to lock their doors and it is very easy for crooks to go around a parking lot and pull on door handles. Even if your hands are full, make sure to lock the door to prevent break in’s.
Also, package thefts have been steadily increasing in and around Spokane. “Porch Pirates” are going onto peoples front porches or driveways to take packages delivered to them.
Briggs recommends that residents try to bring packages inside as quickly as possible, reducing the amount of time they are out in the open. If you are unable to pick them up, try to ask a neighbor to stop by and grab them from your porch in the meantime.
During the holiday season, we are shopping for all of our loved ones which mean we may leave things in our cars or receive more packages. This means thieves are out searching for those holiday packages.
The Spokane Police Department urge residents to make sure all gifts, packages and valuable items are in your home and not left on the porch or in your car!
