By J.D. Capelouto, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
www.ajc.com

During a two-day operation this month, Dunwoody police arrested 27 people on charges of shoplifting and other offenses at Perimeter Mall, officials said.

Police officers worked with loss prevention officers “to identify and apprehend shoplifters and those committing other types of crimes” at 15 of the mall’s stores, the Dunwoody Police Department said in a statement.

Merchandise worth more than $8,200 was recovered, according to police. The individuals who were arrested, 25 adults and two juveniles, were not identified. They were charged with a total of 28 misdemeanors and two felonies.

“Conducting periodic operations with our private security partners is an important strategy to help combat this type of crime in Dunwoody,” Chief Billy Grogan said in a statement.

The department worked with the Georgia Retailers Organized Retail Crime Alliance on the operation, which was called an “organized retail crime blitz” and happened during a busy shopping period.

“Organized retail crime affects 97% of retailers in Georgia, however due to ongoing collaborations such as this, we are stemming that tide,” Thomas Beusse, the executive director of the Georgia Retailers, said in a statement. read more