FILE
NEW YORK (77 WABC) — Shoplifting in the big apple has skyrocketed 81% this year compared to last as the city continues to reel from a crime surge.
Two of five crimes are recidivist offenders. There’s been more than 5,000 petty larceny, grand larceny and robbery complaints stemming from shoplifting incidents citywide.
That’s up from about 2,100 shoplifting complaints recorded during the same period last year when many New Yorkers were at home, avoiding the post-holiday, winter COVID-19 surge.
Of those arrested for shoplifting related offenses over the past two years, 2,000 are recidivists who’ve been cuffed three or more times. Drug stores in the big apple have been hard hit. Rite Aide has been forced to shutter stores due to repeat shoplifters leaving store shelves empty.
