NSW police charge man over theft of designer handbags in Sydney CBD

A man has been charged after police seized more than $50,000 worth of designer items allegedly stolen from retail stores across Sydney and Melbourne.

Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command Proactive Crime Team commenced an investigation following reports a man attended a department store on Castlereagh Street, Sydney, and stole three designer handbags with a total retail value of $11,000 on Friday 31 July 2020.

Following inquiries, police arrested a 25-year-old man at a hospital on Barker Street, Randwick, about 10.30pm yesterday (Friday 7 August 2020).

As part of further investigations, a search was conducted at a home on Cooper Street, Surry Hills, where police seized several designer bags and items.

The total estimated retail value of the items is more than $50,000.

The man, who is a Vietnamese National, was taken to Day Street Police Station and charged with shoplifting (x5) and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.

Police will allege in court that the man stole designer bags and items from stores in Sydney and Melbourne.

He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 8 August 2020).

Anyone with information about retail theft is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.

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