CORDOVA, Tenn. — Two women are on the run with $1,500 worth of stolen purses.
Marshalls in Cordova wasn’t open for more than an hour-and-a-half Thursday when police said two women started grabbing as many purses as they could and bolted.
Police said their getaway ride parked out front was a gold Infiniti with Florida tags.
The female duo took $1,500 worth of Michael Kors handbags.
“Michael Kors, Louis, Gucci. If people can get it for the low, they won’t think twice about it,” Marshalls shopper Mair Johnson said.
Police first told WREG in an email, “video of the incident will be available upon request.”
We asked for the footage to see if you recognized anyone, especially since there’s not a good description of the thieves, but investigators then told us we couldn’t have it now or maybe ever.
“Then you would be on the lookout for these women, because you never know when they will strike next ,” Marshalls shopper Wade Conley said.
“People aren’t as scared as they used to be. I have seen that over the last few years. I saw that at Wolfchase,” Marshalls shopper Cheri Riddle said.
Riddle is talking about another bold robbery this year just down the road at Wolfchase Galleria.
A group of men smashed jewelry cases stealing $700,000 worth of Rolex watches. The men were caught a couple of months later.
According to a crime tracker map, there have been 284 shoplifting felonies on North Germantown Parkway this year.
“It doesn’t matter the gender now, because men or women, everybody at it,” Johnson said.
Police are looking for the Marshalls shoplifters, as well as the two men in their getaway car.
Memphis Police gave the following tips to prevent shoplifting:
- Maximize Visibility: Keeping an eye on merchandise is the first step in loss prevention. Place shorter displays close to the register and taller displays near the perimeter of the store so all merchandise is completely visible. Use mirrors to eliminate any blind spots, and be sure to keep your store neat and tidy, so employees can tell at a glance if something is missing or out of place.
- Share Your Shoplifting Policy: Determine your shoplifting policy and communicate it to your customers with posted signs. Posting statements such as, “Shoplifters Will Be Prosecuted,” can act as an effective deterrent.
- Have Visible Security Systems: Whether you use security mirrors, faux cameras, motion sensors or security guards, make sure your security systems are visible to customers. Knowing you have security measures in place will stave off shoplifters.
- Lock It Up: Protect merchandise by monitoring and limiting access to display cases and dressing rooms. Requiring employee assistance with certain products provides an extra line of defense.
- Relocate Your Register: When cash registers are next to the entry and exit points in your store, customers are forced to walk past employees when they come and go. Make sure registers are manned at all times and employees know to keep a watchful eye on customers.
- Be Aware: Employees should be alert at all times in your store, especially during opening, closing and restocking hours. Know which merchandise is most appealing to shoplifters (hint: small and/or expensive items) and place it in prominent areas, where employees can see it.
- Know How to Spot a Shoplifter: Certain behaviors should put your employees in alert mode. Watch for customers who appear nervous, stare at employees or other customers, wander aimlessly around the store, hang out in hard-to-monitor areas, and repeatedly leave and return.
- Have a Presence: Greet every customer and offer help throughout the shopping process. Not only will your presence remind potential shoplifters they’re being watched, but your vigilance will give you the added opportunity to track merchandise, especially items that go in and out of a dressing room.
- Implement a Bag-Check Policy: Don’t allow customers to bring bags and backpacks into the dressing room area, as they can be used to hide merchandise. Welcome customers to check bags with an employee before they enter.
- Inspect All Purchases: At the register, take a minute to double-check merchandise, like purses and baskets, that can be used to store and steal additional items. Even if you’ve got a customer making a purchase, there’s still the chance an extra item or two ended up inside.
