According to Victoria Police, the most recent incident occurred at a store in a large shopping complex in the northern Melbourne suburb of Preston on 2 February. The thief stole more than $20,000 worth of necklaces, bracelets and watches.
He has also allegedly targeted stores in New South Wales and Queensland.
When commenting on the Preston-based robbery at Northland shopping centre, detective senior constable Jim Kincade said the man – dressed in a suit jacket and business shirt – was quite articulate and came across as a respectable, wealthy person.
He said the robber entered the store, made conversation with an attendant and asked to see several pieces of jewellery. After trying on more and more jewellery pieces, he then looked disinterested and left the store without buying anything – it was only then that the theft was discovered.
“The staff at the time had no reason to suspect that he was actually stealing the items that he was trying on and looking at,” Kincade said.
“The high volume of items being looked at confuses the staff members and when they’re distracted, [he] pockets some of those items,” Kincade added.
The thief is described as being 180cm tall (6ft), Caucasian in appearance, with a thin build and light-brown hair.
Police have released CCTV footage of the Preston robbery in the hope of catching the man.
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