ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Local deputies say a popular shopping center has become an easy target for thieves. They said professional shoplifters have put a mark on the outlet malls in St. Augustine.
The St. Augustine outlets have been hit several times in the last couple of months by shoplifters. Police say it's not surprising because of the popularity of the stores and their proximity to Interstate 95.
The latest shoplifting incident happened Monday night at Gucci. An employee told police two men grabbed several handbags from a display and took off. A witness entering the store also spotted the two men and followed them, taking note of the car they were driving and the tag.
"When the citizens see something and let us know and they can give us better descriptions, the better we are at doing our job of capturing individuals because what we never advocate is that people go out and grab individuals. We don't know what they are capable of," said St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Cmdr. Chuck Mulligan.
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Action News requested all shoplifting reports at those outlets on both the west and east sides of I-95, St. Augustine Premium Outlets and St. Augustine Outlets, for this year.
Monday's shoplifting incident is the 22nd reported incident. Among the stores hit, Gucci, Sunglass Hut and Tommy Hilfiger have all called police more than once.
Mulligan said in the past, they have arrested people who steal from multiple stores at once in groups. He said that there are thieves who target major stores along interstates.
"And that is their job to go in to shoplift. They have individuals who will distract the clerks, tie up the clerks with a lot of questions if you will, while the others are shoplifting," Mulligan said.
Mulligan said he can't confirm whether that was the case Monday night at Gucci because no one was arrested.
He said stores should try to keep their most popular or expensive items away from the entrance where they can easily be stolen, and if a store needs help with preventative measures the Sheriff's Office can assist them.
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