Seven Lithuanians, who were arrested Tuesday, were sentenced to one week in custody yesterday, suspected of participating in organized grand larceny of Icelandic stores. Seven others, also from Lithuania, were arrested in relation to this case yesterday.
Many of those who were arrested do not have regular employment in Iceland and police suspect they only came to the country to participate in criminal activities, Morgunbladid reports.
According to Ómar Smári Ármannsson, head of the Embezzlement Department of the Capital Region Police, foreign citizens, who police have arrested in relation to theft, have often said during questioning that they find it easier to steal from stores in Iceland than in other countries.
Ármannsson said it appears Icelandic stores have a reputation for slack security. “It is not a good reputation and we have to end this repute. There is only one way to do that; we have to increase security.”
Police confiscated a considerable amount of loot in relation to yesterday’s and Tuesday’s arrests, expensive parkas and outdoor clothing worth ISK hundreds of thousands (to put this in perspective: ISK 100,000 = USD 1,600, EUR 1,200), computer equipment, cosmetics and a large amount of razor blades.
The loot was packed in black garbage bags, shopping bags and suitcases. One of those arrested had booked a flight to Lithuania yesterday and is suspected of intending to take the loot out of the country.
According to Ármannsson, all men are in their twenties and some have a criminal history in Iceland or overseas.
The International Department of the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police has been asked to obtain further information on the suspects and investigate whether they have any connections with organized crime abroad.
