Bengaluru supermarkets ban masks amid surge in theft

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: What was once a mandatory safety measure during the Covid-19 pandemic has now become a tool for criminal activity. Many supermarkets in Bengaluru have recently banned customers from wearing masks due to a notable increase in thefts.

According to an employee from a supermarket chain, the rise in thefts has been directly linked to the use of masks. The employee revealed that their chain has faced significant losses, with items worth Rs 3 lakh stolen from two supermarkets in the past month alone.

“At my outlet in Kengeri, we have lost about Rs 1.2 lakh worth of materials. Our CCTV footage revealed that the thieves were masked, making it hard to identify them. The thefts were only discovered during routine audits,” said Rajesh Aradhya, a mall manager.

He further explained that thieves often conceal stolen goods in college bags or under their clothing and then bring a few items to the cash counter to avoid suspicion. “Some stores ban bags inside, but smaller outlets don’t always have that option,” he added.

When questioned about filing police complaints, Rajesh reportedly noted, “The stolen items are usually worth Rs 1,000-2,000, and reporting such minor thefts often feels futile.

The same culprits rarely return, and there are multiple offenders.” A senior police officer confirmed that while supermarket thefts are not frequently reported, the use of masks in crimes has posed a new challenge.

“We’ve observed that masks are increasingly used by criminals to avoid identification. Previously, offenders used helmets for the same purpose, but masks are now more effective as they don’t need to be removed,” the officer explained, according to reports.

The officer also referenced a broader issue, noting, “In cases like the Rameshwaram Cafe bomb blast, the main suspect was also wearing a mask. It has become a standard disguise for many criminals.”