AACS deplores such criminal activity and urges the police, judiciary and government to be more proactive in assisting all honest retailers to operate their businesses without fear from these bad criminal elements in society. It is just not acceptable.

JB Hi-Fi stores told to brace for more gang thefts following Nunawading daylight attack

Electronics retailers like JB Hi-Fi are allegedly hiring extra security to combat ‘swarming’ robberies following a daylight attack in Nunawading. It comes as an ominous memo was sent to managers warning them to prepare for more attacks.

Tamsin Rose and Jeff Whalley,
September 5, 2019
Herald Sun

Electronics retailers have been warned their shops may be hit by ‘swarming’ thieves after yet another store was targeted by a gang of youths at the weekend.

A gang of hooded teen thieves struck at the Nunawading JB Hi-Fi about 2.50pm Sunday.

The Herald Sun understands youths targeted the Apple display products during the daylight attack.

They ripped them from their cords and ran before officers could nab them.

“Police attended and patrolled the area but were unable to locate the offenders,” a Victoria Police spokesman said.

“A number of youths have since been arrested and interviewed by police.”

A source told the Herald Sun a memo had gone out to the managers of other stores telling them to prepare because they would probably be hit in coming weeks.

Extra security has allegedly also been hired for the shops to make people feel safer.

But as first revealed by the Sunday Herald Sun in July, retail workers and security guards are advised to step aside and let the offenders rip the products off their cords and walk out with the expensive goods.

“JB Hi-Fi takes very seriously the recent thefts in a number of its Victoria stores,” a spokesman from the company said.

“The safety and welfare of our team and customers is our number one priority and concern. “We are continuing to work very closely with Victoria police in regard to these incidents.”

Victoria Police’s business advice includes instructions for staff to make no attempt to apprehend the criminals and instead call triple-0.

Outlets in Thomastown, Sunshine, Airport West, Prahran, Brunswick, Altona North. Geelong, Werribee, Altona, Hoppers Crossing and Sunshine have all been targeted in similar attacks over the past year.

It comes as police revealed 11 people had been arrested in relation to thefts from electronic stores across Melbourne between August 22 and September 1.