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A spate of pickpocketings and bag-snatchings turned Ikea into the petty crime capital of Brooklyn this month.
Between Aug. 8 and 17, “about eight” shoppers and employees reported that their personal items were stolen in the big box store on Beard Street, according to police from the 76th precinct.
The sheer number of disappeared purses and deft swiping of wallets surprised local cops, but they said conditions in the store are perfect for these types of crimes.
“It’s a big store and it attracts a lot of people,” said Deputy Inspector Michael Kemper, commanding officer of the 76th police precinct covering Red Hook, Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens. “On the weekends, it’s packed and in crowded atmospheres, people sometimes prey upon the innocent.”
Saturday, Aug. 9 was a particularly perilous day in the Swedish home-furnishing store with three reported crimes taking place.
One woman lost her purse at 11:30 am. It turned up again, but $40, a cellphone and credit and banking cards were gone.
Early in the afternoon, a customer in line noticed her backpack had been unzipped and her wallet, which contained $25, was taken.
The third time was the (bad) charm when an employee reported that her bag had been stolen at the end of her shift at 10 pm.
A few of the other crimes have happened in the food court, where thieves filched bags and purses while diners disposed of the remains of their Swedish meatball lunches.
Security cameras in the store have not revealed any potential suspects, according to Kemper, so the police and Ikea officials do not know if they are dealing with a repeat offender or have been plagued by a coincidence of crimes.
Company officials did not want to talk about the rash of reported offenses.
“We don’t discuss safety and security issues in the store,” said company spokesman Joseph Roth, but, he added, “we’re cooperating with the 76th precinct.”
Police told The Brooklyn Paper Ikea has made some changes to halt the problem, including hiring a new company to provide security.
The police said the best way to prevent these types of crimes is for shoppers and employtees to be more aware of their surroundings and belongings.
Many shoppers were unsympathetic to the victimized patrons and urged them to be more alert.
“You have to be aware of your environment. This is New York,” said Heide Frank of Brooklyn Heights, who was visiting the store. “If you don’t leave your bag alone on the subway, why would you do it here?”
– with Allison Bosworth
©2008 Community Newspaper Group
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