A man and woman have been charged following an investigation into several alleged shoplifting incidents at Lake Macquarie.
Between August and November 2023, police from the Lake Macquarie Police District Proactive Crime Team investigated several shoplifting incidents they believed were linked.
The incidents are alleged to have occurred at two shopping centres: one on Pearson Street at Charlestown, and another on Wilsons Road at Mount Hutton.
Following extensive inquiries, a 43-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman were arrested on Pearson Street about 12.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 November 2023).
They were taken to Belmont Police Station to assist police with their inquiries.
A short time later, detectives executed a search warrant at a unit on Paper Street, Gateshead.
During the search, investigators allegedly located and seized several items believed to have been stolen during the incidents.
The man was charged with five counts of larceny and was refused bail to appear before Belmont Local Court today (Wednesday 15 November 2023).
The woman was charged with five counts of larceny, and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.
She was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 29 November 2023.