Roseburg Cracks Down on Shopping Cart Theft Epidemic

Roseburg police recently cited two individuals in separate incidents for possessing stolen shopping carts from local businesses. Both offenders had received prior warnings about this illegal activity. In a bizarre twist to one of the cases, the perpetrator attempted to justify their actions by claiming they intended to place the officer under citizen's arrest for confiscating a previously stolen cart. Roseburg residents should be aware that stolen shopping carts often end up damaged or discarded in local waterways like the South Umpqua River and in ponds. The cost of a single shopping cart can be several hundred dollars. When carts are stolen and destroyed, these costs are ultimately passed on to consumers through higher prices at Roseburg stores. The brazen theft of these carts, with them being paraded around town, has gone on for far too long. We need stores to be willing to prosecute individuals who steal their shopping carts and our local police to enforce the laws. Thank you Roseburg Police for doing your part!