The Vero Beach Police Department would like to alert local businesses of a popular technique being used by criminals to gain access to employee personal belongings or unattended store merchandise. 

Several individuals working together as a team will enter a business and distract store employees by either causing some type of verbal disturbance or demanding full attention from the salespersons.

While this activity is occurring one subject from the group will quietly and surreptitiously enter a backroom, display case or behind the counter shelve area to search for valuables. 

Normally the suspects are long gone before the thefts are detected.

This week several similiar incidents were reported by merchants throughout Indian River County.

If you observe this type of behavior or suspect that you might be a victim contact the Vero Beach Police Dept. at 978-4600, or the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction where the incident occurred.