Police have charged 19 people during a retail theft operation across the Illawarra area yesterday.
Operation Percentile is an intelligence-led approach to proactively identify and disrupt repeat retail crime offenders across the state.
The operation saw officers attached to the Wollongong Police District Proactive Crime Team patrolling the Wollongong area between 8am and 4pm yesterday (Tuesday 16 May 2026).
The following results were achieved;
- 18 people allegedly detected shoplifting (most in possession of grocery items)
- 15 Court attendance notices issued
- two Criminal Infringement Notices issued
- one youth caution, and
- one charged with outstanding warrant and breach of bail.
Notable incidents include;
About 1pm yesterday ( Tuesday 26 May 2026), police were patrolling in a shopping centre on Crown Street, Wollongong, when they allegedly detected a 20-year-old woman allegedly stealing from a supermarket. Police stopped the woman and seized the alleged stolen grocery items with a total value of $124.85. She was arrested and charged with shoplifting and breach of bail.She was refused bail and to appear at Bail Division Court 3 today (Wednesday 27 May 2026).
Investigations under Operation Percentile continue.
