Over $6000 in stolen goods recovered during two-day sting targeting retail theft

Surrey

2022-12-20 09:28 PST

File # 2022-12-20 CRU Retail Theft Sting

A two-day sting targeting retail theft at two of Surrey’s largest shopping centres during the first week of December has resulted in a number of arrests and the recovery of more than $6000 dollars worth of stolen goods.

The operation was carried out by the Surrey RCMP Community Response Unit and Mobile Street Enforcement Team, with assistance from Metro Vancouver Transit Police, Loss Prevention Officers from retail businesses, and security staff.

Twenty-eight people were arrested, and police are recommending 19 criminal charges which have been forwarded to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration. One person was also arrested for an outstanding warrant, and another was taken into custody for breaching court-ordered conditions.

The stolen merchandise ranged in value from a few dollars to thousands of dollars in brand name sports attire. A stolen vehicle was also recovered during the sting.

We see a full range of reasons given for these thefts, from a personal want to more targeted thefts of higher value items that are then re-sold for profit on the black market, says Staff Sergeant Nigel Pronger of the Community Response Unit. Shoplifting is not a victimless crime, and the crime cycle will often continue once the thief has left the store. If you see a brand new item for purchase through buy/sell sites for a price far below the actual retail value, I encourage you to give serious thought to where that item came from, and if you want to be part of the cycle contributing to retail theft.

Surrey RCMP continues to enforce retail theft during the holiday season and throughout the year, working with our partners during their daily operations as well as periodic enforcement projects.

For media inquiries contact:

Surrey RCMP Media Relations Unit
Office: 604-599-7776
Email: surrey_media_relations@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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