Police have laid more than 30 charges during a three-day crackdown on shoplifting in the Lake Illawarra area.
Officers attached to Lake Illawarra Local Area Command Anti Theft Unit conducted the operation at three shopping malls from 23 to 25 September.
Twelve people were charged with shoplifting and 20 Criminal Infringement Notices for shoplifting were issued.
Two people were charged with drug detection.
Five people were arrested for breach of bail.
Police will allege one of the men charged – a 38-year-old from Bomaderry was charged with goods in custody, larceny and four counts of fraud.
The same man was also charged for a second time during the operation with breach of bail, goods in custody (motor vehicle) and two counts of fraud and trespass.
He was bail refused and reappeared at Port Kembla Local Court today.
The operation included 68 person searches, three vehicle searches, and eight people to be prosecuted for trespass.
Police will continue to liaise with the shopping centres to conduct similar operations in the future.
