Shoplifting stats released

Heads up, thieves: Chico stores call the cops more frequently these days.

The Chico Police Department released statistics Tuesday (Aug. 7) gathered between January and June of this year related to the Retail Watch program launched in conjunction with the Chico Chamber of Commerce to combat shoplifting.

Calls went up 8 percent, with 492, compared to the same six months last year—but the instances in which officers were dispatched jumped 206 percent, from 91 times to 279. Arrests increased 23 percent, from 66 to 81.

Friday remains the busiest day of the week for shoplifters.