SCARBOROUGH Police have launched Operation Ovatum in a bid to combat theft and stolen credit cards at Westfield Innaloo.
Acting officer-in-charge Chris Martin said the operation targeted shoplifting, thefts from vehicles and stolen handbags.
“People are targeting those soft targets and stealing their credit cards to use them and commit fraud,” Snr Sgt Martin said.
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READ NOW“So, they will use the cards by payWave or Pay Pass with the credit card to get ready access to cash.
“We are targeting that by doing plain clothes operations in shopping centres and vehicle stops in the areas where the cards are traditionally used such as liquor outlets, major shopping centres and service stations.”
Snr Sgt Martin said there had been several incidents where offenders stole unattended handbags at Westfield Innaloo.
“Between 1.30pm and 1.40pm on January 2, a female left her handbag unattended on the floor at Kmart and the offenders came and grabbed her handbag.
“No one has been caught at this stage and investigations are continuing.”