Burnaby, BC – The Burnaby RCMP’s Community Response Team (CRT) was deployed to Metrotown for two evenings this week in a focused effort to combat retail theft and support local businesses and staff impacted by chronic shoplifting. Over the course of six hours, the initiative resulted in the arrest of six shoplifters and the recovery of nearly $7,500 worth of merchandise, which was returned to the affected retailers.
Among the arrests, two prolific offenders were taken into custody for breaching their release orders. In one notable case, a 41-year-old Burnaby man, known to the authorities for his extensive criminal history, was apprehended. CRT officers, assisted by Metrotown security, identified the man in two stores despite his court-ordered conditions prohibiting his presence in specific retail locations. Upon arrest, the suspect was found with $850 worth of stolen goods, including a belt and several bottles of perfume. This individual has a long history of negative interactions with law enforcement, including 113 theft-related incidents, 26 breaches of probation, and 4 robbery charges.
In another incident, a 38-year-old Vancouver man was arrested after he attempted to leave a store with over $2,600 worth of high-end athletic clothing still on the hangers. The suspect was promptly apprehended and the stolen merchandise was recovered.
The deployment of the CRT to Metrotown is part of an ongoing strategy to reduce retail theft and enhance public safety in one of Burnaby’s busiest commercial areas. The arrests and recoveries underscore the RCMP’s commitment to tackling chronic shoplifting and supporting local businesses.
Burnaby RCMP urges the community to report any suspicious activities and continues to work closely with local businesses and security teams to prevent retail crime.