Two mainlanders have been arrested for shoplifting in three branches of a supermarket chain multiple times within three hours, Public Security Police (PSP) spokesman Cheong Heon Fan said in a regular press conference yesterday.
The suspects are a 25-year-old man surnamed Zhang and a 35-year-old man surnamed Xu. They entered Macau as visitors, and both told the police that they’re jobless.
According to Cheong, the duo first stole a large amount of goods worth 4,161 patacas including hair conditioners and sunscreens from the supermarket’s Taipa branch. After the staff noticed the theft, they circulated the images of the suspects captured from the in-store surveillance cameras among the chain’s employees.
The duo then attempted to steal a bottle of red wine from another branch of the supermarket on Avenida de Artur Tamagnini Barbosa, but were unsuccessful. The branch staff members told the police that the bottle of wine had been damaged by the duo.
When both entered another branch of the supermarket on Avenida do Hipódromo later that day, the staff members recognised them and immediately reported their presence to the police. The suspects were arrested at the scene.
Under questioning, the duo admitted to shoplifting and claimed that the goods stolen from the first theft had already been given to another accomplice to resell in the mainland.
Zhang and Xu have been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), facing theft charges, according to Cheong.
Public Security Police (PSP) spokesman Cheong Heon Fan looks on during a regular press conference yesterday. – Photo: William Chan
