A couple has stolen coffee from an ICA store in Sweden over an extended period, totaling more than 100,000 kronor so far. The store owner is deeply furious about the repeated thefts. Police are investigating after the couple was caught in the store.
According to Expressen, a couple, a man and woman in middle age, have systematically stolen coffee bags from an ICA store in Sweden since the beginning of the year. The thefts have occurred regularly, often several times a week, with the pair taking bags worth hundreds of kronor each time without paying. The total amount now reaches a six-figure value, specifically over 100,000 kronor, based on the store's inventories and surveillance footage.
The store owner, who runs the local ICA supermarket, expresses strong frustration in an interview with the newspaper. "I'm furious. They've done this time and time again, and it affects not only the finances but also the staff's morale," the owner says. Surveillance cameras captured the couple on film on multiple occasions, leading to their eventual arrest by store staff and police during an ongoing theft attempt last week.
The background to the thefts is unclear, but police suspect the couple sold the stolen coffee on the black market. Sources indicate that similar incidents have increased in smaller stores in recent years due to rising living costs. The couple's age and prior criminal records are not specified in the reporting, but they have been questioned by police and charges are expected soon.
The incident highlights the challenges for small retailers in Sweden, where thefts lead to higher prices for customers. The store owner now plans to implement stricter security measures, such as more cameras and locks on shelves. Police urge other stores to be vigilant for similar patterns.