Hillzeez owner Glenn Callegari reveals frustration with repeat shoplifters after $120,000 stolen in a year

The operator of one of the region’s most iconic retailers has expressed his frustration at “petty infringements” handed out to repeat shoplifters after $120,000 worth of goods was stolen from its stores over the last year. Hillzeez owner Glenn Callegari is considering reducing trading hours across the business’ nine stores in the South West and Great Southern as part of attempts to prevent theft. He said there had been a shift in thief demographics to repeat adult offenders. “They will be seeking high-value items to convert to cash, they’ll be unhinged, they’ll be affected either by drugs in their system or affective long-term drug use,” Mr Callegari said. “They’re abusive, threatening and intimidating. My staff have felt unsafe and been abused verbally and spat on.” Mr Callegari described his stores as being seen as a “easy hit” for shoplifters to get high-value items, highlighting the trauma it causes to staff. “There’s no need to break and enter anymore, you just walk in because the consequence for you is very small,” he said. “Magistrates hand out petty infringements because magistrates deem it as petty theft. It’s far more than petty theft, it’s significant theft, it’s marginalising business returns. It’s traumatic for my staff — the cost of the trauma is not factored by any magistrate.” Although orders to pay the business back for the stolen items could be made in court, Mr Callegari said those orders do not get paid and he would need to take civil legal action to get the funds back. “I’ve not once in 25 years of retailing ever received the payment from the offender that the magistrate has given an order to,” he said. “It’s a zero per cent strike rate. Why do magistrates keep handing these out like they’re penalties?” Mr Callegari praised police for being “as effective as ever” in prosecuting theft from the Hillzeez stores, with most shoplifters being banned while on bail. But he said the issue with repeat offenders was they return after prosecution, claiming there are “no effective banning mechanisms” to prevent them from re-entering the stores. “The only effective means is to do a restraining order but a restraining order is not to a premise, it’s to an individual,” Mr Callegari said. “I have 73 staff. I can’t do 73 restraining orders to one criminal, it’s just not practical.” Retail outlets do have the opportunity to issue banning notices to individuals, which if breached can be lead to a person being charged with trespassing. Liberal candidate for Bunbury Heather Reid said the business’ $120,000 loss due to theft was “heartbreaking” with the State Government failing to keep communities safe. “I am hearing from our community that crime is getting worse and it’s a soft touch approach by WA Labor that is emboldening criminals to act,” she said. “Our community is fed up.” WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam claimed the current approach to crime had resulted in shoplifting increasing by 123 per cent across the State. “WA deserves a criminal justice system that backs our community - not criminals,” she said. “The Government needs to act to make WA safer. Crime and antisocial behaviour is disrupting too many lives in WA; it shouldn’t be an election issue, but Roger Cook’s unwillingness to address it means it will always be an election issue.” Opposition Leader Shane Love described the situation faced by Hillzeez and other South West retailers as alarming and said it highlights growing issues with repeat offenders undeterred by current penalties. “It’s clear that the system is failing to act as an effective deterrent, and local businesses are paying the price for it,” he said. “Reducing crime is a basic responsibility of any Government. The Cook Labor Government has clearly failed to address these concerns, especially in regional areas where local businesses and communities are often left feeling vulnerable.” Mr Love said the Nationals in Government would prioritise stronger policing, tougher penalties and more business support. In response, Police Minister Paul Papalia highlighted the State Government’s move in July to “significantly increase” penalties for repeat offenders of retail theft. “The previous ‘fine only’ penalty has been removed for those convicted of stealing, or attempted stealing, on three or more occasions in one year,” he said. “Instead, serial thieves are now subject to a maximum penalty of two years behind bars and $24,000 fine when dealt with summarily. “The WA Police Force does an incredible job tracking down shoplifters and holding them to account. These laws ensure thieves who continue to disregard the law will go to prison.”