BURNABY RCMP’s Community Response Team (CRT) was deployed to Metrotown for six hours over two evenings in an effort to curb retail theft and support local businesses and staff impacted by chronic shoplifting.

In total, six shoplifters were arrested and nearly $7,500 worth of merchandise was recovered and returned to retailers.

In addition to these arrests, two prolific offenders were arrested after being found in breach of their release orders.

In one instance, CRT officers recognized a 41-year-old Burnaby man known to be a prolific offender with conditions not to attend specific retail businesses. CRT, with the assistance of Metrotown security, were able to confirm that the suspect entered two stores in breach of his conditions. The suspect was arrested and subsequently searched. He was found to have $850 worth of merchandise, including a belt and several bottles of perfume, from these two businesses, which were believed to be stolen.

This individual has an extensive history of negative police contacts throughout the Lower Mainland, including 113 theft files, 26 breach of probation files and four robbery files.

In another instance, a 38-year-old Vancouver man was arrested after walking off with over $2,600 worth of high-end athletic clothing. The suspect was found to be in possession of the merchandise still on the hangers.

“Our analysts have assisted in narrowing down when and where there are spikes in retail thefts in our community. This information allowed our officers to focus on the right time and place to assist our community partners,” said Cpl. Mike Kalanj with Burnaby RCMP. “We will continue to work with our partners to enhance public safety and combat the negative impacts of retail theft in our community.”