An individual is facing theft charges after police discovered a large stash of toys worth AUD 250,000 (£120,800; $163,400), allegedly stolen from department stores in Adelaide. During a raid on a Royal Park residence, South Australian police recovered around 2,500 items, including 1,700 unopened toy boxes, along with soft toys, water guns, and toy trucks featuring popular children’s toy brands. The haul, believed to be intended for online resale, was so extensive that it required three truckloads to transport and extra officers to assist in its removal. Authorities confirmed it was the largest recovery made under an ongoing retail theft crackdown in the state.
The suspect has been charged and is set to appear before the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on September 30. Police said the operation specifically targets repeat offenders and those who resort to threats or violence during theft. The South Australia Police emphasized the scale of the haul as evidence of serious criminal activity and urged the public to avoid buying suspiciously cheap goods online, warning that such purchases fuel organized theft. Authorities also reported a decline in shoplifting incidents in South Australia in recent months, with roughly 2,500 arrests made through the operation.
