Shopliftings in OC Down but Higher Profile this Year

Recent press releases from the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office might have you thinking that shopliftings are on the rise in the Golden Corner. They are actually down, but thanks to new surveillance, they are drawing more attention this year from authorities, explains Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Jimmy Watt. “Shoplifting is one of those things that happens throughout the year, you may see a bite of a rise with the holidays being here. Last year, we saw a pretty dramatic rise right before the holidays in terms of shoplifters, I’m not sure if we are seeing that the numbers like we did last year, but I think in these particular cases that I sent press releases out on, I think it is just the volume of merchandise that has been taken.” CrimeStoppers of Oconee County asks citizens to help identify recent shoplifters from the Walmart in Seneca, continues Watt. “One of the cases involved the taking of a 32-inch TV set with retail value around $230. Another case was an individual that we are seeking help with, who went in twice and took computers on two different occasions, so we are talking about a few hundred dollars apiece. The last one I put out concerned a shoplifting case that took place last week in which a couple took tools and other items, maybe the retail value of what was in their cart was over $500. So, I think it is about our deputies being proactive in wanting to solve these cases, find out the identities of these individuals, issue arrest warrants and make arrests.” To see pictures of these shoplifting suspects from the Walmart in Seneca, visit the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office website at www.oconeelaw.com. All tips to CrimeStoppers are anonymous and information leading to an arrest could result in a cash reward.