27 people arrested for shoplifting by West Shore RCMP Crime Reduction Unit over 6-week period in shoplifting blitz

West Shore

2024-01-23 10:15 PST

27 people were arrested for shoplifting by West Shore RCMP Crime Reduction Unit over a 6-week period from November to end of December 2023.

From January 1st - Dec 31 2023, West Shore RCMP investigated 514 reports of shoplifting under $5000 in the West Shore as compared to 400 for the same time period last year, that’s a 29% increase in shoplifting.

In response to this increase, West Shore RCMP Crime Reduction Unit focused its efforts in the last quarter of 2023 to address shoplifting in the West Shore.

Each week, officers from the unit worked with Loss Prevention Officers from various West Shore stores. The Loss Prevention Officer would identify individuals shoplifting within the store and relay the information to Crime Reduction Unit officers who were covertly positioned outside the store. Once the shoplifting suspect exited the store without paying for the goods they were arrested by police.

This was a successful outcome for both police and West Shore retailers. Partnering with Loss Prevention Officers was key in being able to identify shoplifting taking place within the store, we thank all stores that collaborated with police, said Cpl. Danny Grieve West Shore RCMP Crime Reduction Unit.

Of the 27 arrested, 9 individuals met the criteria for Restorative Justice and were deferred away from the criminal justice system through this program. Of the remaining 18, 13 are set to appear in court for theft related charges and 5 individuals were banned from the store.

Thousands of dollars worth of stolen goods were returned to the stores. In one instance, Crime Reduction officers identified a chronic offender who was a suspect in multiple thefts from the same retailer. The offender was suspected of stealing thousands of dollars worth of high valued tools and electronics. Crime Reduction Officers were able to identify the suspect who resided in Chilliwack and alerted the Chilliwack RCMP who arrested the suspect putting an end to the crime spree.

Released by

Cpl. Nancy Saggar

Email: westshore_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: westshore.rcmp-grc.gc.ca (English only)

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