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ST. GEORGE — The St. George Police Department released a video of a wallet and other items being taken from the shopping cart of an unsuspecting shopper, just one type of criminal activity that has escalated at a alarming rate across the city.
St. George law enforcement has seen a recent uptick in the number of thefts involving crime groups that are passing through and exploiting the public in the area and taking whatever they can in the process.
St. George police officer Tiffany Mitchell told St. George News these theft groups are hitting the area "at an alarming rate," and the number of reports does not appear to be going down anytime soon.
"People need to wake up and realize that this is taking place right in front of them," Mitchell said.
Taking an active role in protecting one's property is the first step to addressing the problem, since these are crimes of opportunity, Mitchell said. An unsuspecting target can be "easy pickings" for these groups of thieves that travel through southern Utah with one goal in mind.
