26 arrests made in one-day Surrey shoplifting blitz: RCMP
In an effort to crack down on retail thefts, Mounties in Surrey say over two-dozen arrests were made in just one day last month, with thousands of dollars worth of merchandise recovered.
According to the Surrey RCMP, Mounties, Metro Vancouver Transit Police, and members of the Delta Police Department held a one-day operation targeting retail theft at the Guildford Town Centre Mall on May 25.
Mounties say 26 arrests were made that day, five of which were made through arrest warrants. A total of 15 criminal charges were recommended, and $5,000 worth of stolen goods were recovered.
Advertisement
Police say those arrested range from teenagers to adults in their forties.
Related Story: Vancouver shoplifting crackdown sees nearly 140 arrested: police
In one case, the RCMP says a 26-year-old Vancouver man was arrested twice in less than two hours. Police say Donovan Alexander was arrested for theft, released to appear in court, and was arrested again 90 minutes later. He is facing two theft charges under $5,000 and has been released under the condition not to return to the City of Surrey.
S/Sgt. Nigel Pronger with the Surrey RCMP North Community Response Unit says criminals often use public transit to conduct retail theft throughout Metro Vancouver.
“Their crimes have a significant negative impact on the community, including local businesses. These crimes result in additional costs to our families with each purchase we make,” he said.
