Bay Area police are warning shoppers about a crime trend at local Trader Joe’s stores.
The Livermore Police Department announced on Facebook that a shopper’s wallet was taken from an unattended shopping cart and an open wallet at a Tri-Valley store while the victim browsed the aisles.
Police are advising customers to “remain vigilant,” “minimize distractions,” and “avoid leaving items unattended” as crime spikes at businesses in the area.
“Trust your instincts. If you notice something strange or suspicious, don’t hesitate to report it to store staff or security immediately,” a police Facebook post said. ing. “Remember that staying vigilant and taking precautions will go a long way in protecting your belongings and ensuring a worry-free shopping experience. Making every store a safe place for shoppers Let’s work together to keep it that way!”
Denny’s and In-N-Out recently announced the closure of their Oakland stores due to high crime rates.
Health insurance companies Blue Shield and Clorox are hiring “security guards” to escort employees to “BART, parking lots and restaurants,” CBS News Bay Area reported.
Oakland-based Kaiser Permanente is reportedly warning employees to eat indoors as crime continues to hurt business across the city.
Danville police also warned of similar thefts on their Facebook page, but did not specify that they were occurring at specific stores.
“Don’t assume your belongings in your shopping cart are safe without taking precautions,” the social media post reads. “Always be aware of your surroundings.”
Other safety tips include staying close to your cart, leaving your bag at home, and being careful when unloading your cart.
Trader Joe’s did not respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.
