Rogue River, Ore — The holiday shopping season can mean trouble for local businesses as big crowds come in but some say they’re sick and tired of getting ripped off. Sometimes it’s as simple as a Facebook post.
In Rogue River the police are working with one local business to make sure their products stay on the shelves and don’t fall into the hands of thieves.
“We’re a small store, and it really hurts us,” said Justin Norris.
At Rogue River Pharmacy and variety store shoplifting is something assistant manager Justin Norris has to deal with far too often.
“Lately we’ve had a problem with people from out of town coming in and shoplifting,” said Norris.
Rogue River police are looking to put an end to it by posting pictures online of suspected shoplifters and suspicious persons, one of whom confronted a uniformed police officer before leaving empty handed Tuesday.
“There’s been a couple of recent incidences where we’ve had on video and recognized and got their names to the police and had it handled that way,” said store owner Garvin Hamilton.
Norris says the store has been particularly hard hit during the holidays. The big draw for thieves has been small but expensive electronics you can fit in the palm of your hand, like flashlights.
“We have security cameras, we try to keep an eye as best as we can but there’s only so much you can do,” said Norris.
That’s why police are asking the public to not only help identify two suspects this week, but also prevent other thefts in the future.
“We’re not willing to tolerate it, we’re happy to prosecute to the full extent that we can,” said Hamilton.
If you recognize either of the suspects in these surveillance photos or have information on other crimes in the Rogue River area you’re urged to contact Rogue River Police.
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