Man charged with exploiting young people over three-figure supermarket booze theft

A man has been charged with exploiting young people after the theft of a three-figure sum of booze from a supermarket.

The 42-year-old was detained by Police Scotland officers following an incident which took place last month.

Three youngsters, aged 16, 17 and 18, were driven to the Sainbsury's store in Glasgow's Clarkston Road, and alcohol worth around £400 was stolen from the premises.

As part of a probe between local officers and cops working on Operation Dynos - an initiative funded by the Retail Crime Taskforce to tackle retail offences linked to organised crime.

The 42-year-old was detained on Wendesday, January 28, 2026, and held in custody before appearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court, where he was released on bail.

PC Jonathan Cain said: “Operation Dynos has now made four arrests of individuals in relation to exploitation of young people in the context of retail crime and we continue to gather evidence on others believed to be involved in such offences.

“The young people being used to commit these crimes are victims and we are committed to stopping criminals preying on vulnerabilities for their own profit.”

A post about the arrest on the Police Scotland Greater Glasgow Facebook page said: "A man has been charged with the exploitation of young people following a high-value shoplifting at a supermarket last year.

"On 2 December, three youths aged 16, 17 and 18 were driven to the store in Clarkston Road, Glasgow, where around £400 in alcohol was stolen from within.

"As a result of inquiries by Operation Dynos and local officers in Glasgow, a 42-year-old man was arrested in connection with this investigation on Wednesday 28 January. He was held in custody to appear in court the following day before being released on bail."