Laois Gardaí arrest suspected shoplifters after alert from "eagle-eyed" retailer

Portlaoise Gardaí recovered goods and arrested two suspected shoplifters after an “eagle-eyed” retailer spotted the men acting suspiciously. 

Gardaí said a man in his late 40s and a man in his mid 20s were spotted acting suspiciously in the town on Tuesday at around 8pm.  

“A local eagle-eyed retailer noticed some suspicious activity,” gardaí in Portlaoise said.

The quick action of the retailer in contacting gardaí meant they were able to promptly direct their Christmas beat officers to the area to arrest the two men. 

The men are suspected of taking "high value groceries" from at least two stores.  A quantity of goods was recovered and the men, who are believed to be from the Dublin area, are being held for questioning at Portlaoise Garda Station. 

Garda said the incident highlights the importance of calling gardaí as soon as something suspicious occurs. 

They praised the retailer and said gardaí prefer to arrive early rather than after an event has occurred.

Gardaí have been conducting a high visibility patrols in the large towns around Laois in a bid to tackle thefts from retail premises over the busy Christmas period.