METRO Vancouver Transit Police have arrested three individuals in connection with an alleged organized theft ring after a search warrant revealed stolen high-end goods with an estimated retail value of $203,800.

On September 13, Transit Police officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Burnaby following an investigation into a Facebook Marketplace seller who was selling expensive items that had allegedly been stolen. A 46-year-old man, a 30-year-old man, and a 53-year-old woman, all residents of Burnaby, were arrested at the scene. Transit Police will be recommending charges of possession of property obtained by crime, and trafficking in property obtained by crime.

The search uncovered $3,805 in cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime. In addition, 14 large garbage bags worth of name brand consumer goods were seized. The merchandise, much of it with retail tags still affixed, is now being traced back to luxury brand stores across Metro Vancouver.

“When it comes to large-scale retail crime, what experience tells us is that thieves will often look to transit hubs by shopping malls as their means of making a getaway. They will then return to transit property as a meeting spot to sell those goods to unsuspecting buyers. We want to make it clear that criminal activity is not welcome on transit,” said Constable Amanda Steed.

Transit Police said they were able to complete this project thanks to the support of Burnaby RCMP and funding from the Province of BC via the Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement Program (CSTEP).