National

Hundreds arrested for shoplifting in latest Vancouver police blitz

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Oct, 2023 11:28 AM

A police crackdown on violent and chronic shoplifters in Vancouver has ended in 258 arrests and the recovery of almost $57,000 in stolen goods.

#VPDNews: #VPD has made another 258 arrests and recovered almost $57,000 in merchandise during our continued crackdown on violent and chronic shoplifters. https://t.co/fzsLIisYh0 #ProjectBarcode pic.twitter.com/YOuDmvkjRG
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) October 27, 2023

Vancouver police say the arrests were made during a two-week operation in September, which was co-ordinated with other Lower Mainland police departments, resulting in another 82 arrests in Delta, Langley, Richmond and Burnaby.

Staff Sgt. Mario Mastropieri says Vancouver isn't alone in dealing with rampant theft, and other North American cities have seen some major retailers shut down because of violent shoplifting.

He says police are determined not to let that happen in Vancouver.

Tony Hunt, general manager for London Drugs loss prevention, says employers are spending millions on security measures, but not all businesses can afford to take those steps, and they rely on police, courts and social support systems to make it safe to work in communities.

The latest arrests are in addition to a police blitz last spring when 355 people were arrested for shoplifting.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Boat fire injures one, sends plume of smoke over Vancouver's False Creek

Fire has damaged a roughly 10 metre pleasure craft, one of the many small boats that moor long-term in Vancouver's False Creek. Vancouver Fire and Rescue asst. chief Ken Gemmill says a man may have been cooking when the fire broke out about 5:30 p.m., Thursday, in the waters off David Lam Park in Yaletown.

Boat fire injures one, sends plume of smoke over Vancouver's False Creek

Motorcyclist badly hurt

Shortly after 4 p.m. on September 1, Richmond RCMP, responded to the area of Blundell Road near Minoru Boulevard after reports of a downed motorcyclist. The motorcycle operator, a 63-year old male from Richmond was located some distance away from his blue Honda. He received emergency care at the scene and was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Motorcyclist badly hurt

Vancouver manslaughter conviction

Jeff Arnie Lincoln, 41, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced on August 30th, following a Vancouver Police investigation that began more than two years earlier, when Lincoln assaulted 60-year-old Gilles Hebert in Grandview Park, near Commercial Drive and Charles Street. Hebert was taken to hospital and later died from his injuries.

Vancouver manslaughter conviction

Prince George, B.C., explosion linked to pipe theft, gas buildup in structure: RCMP

Police say the explosion that destroyed a building in downtown Prince George, B.C., last month was likely caused by "unauthorized" people who broke into the property and were unaware of a natural-gas buildup inside. Prince George RCMP say fire investigators have determined there is evidence of copper pipe theft, causing damage to at least one natural gas line.

Prince George, B.C., explosion linked to pipe theft, gas buildup in structure: RCMP

Bank of Canada may need to raise rates again, despite this week's hold: Macklem

The Bank of Canada may have to raise interest rates further, given that inflation may stay high for some time, said governor Tiff Macklem Thursday. His speech at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce came one day after the central bank decided to hold its key interest rate steady at five per cent as signs of an economic slowdown grow.

Bank of Canada may need to raise rates again, despite this week's hold: Macklem

Trudeau eyes Indo-Pacific trade deals to avoid China aim to 'play us off each other'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada's rocky relations with China have stabilized, while telling business leaders in Singapore that Ottawa has committed to a timeline for trade deals with the region. Trudeau is undertaking a weeklong visit to Indonesia, Singapore and India with a focus on shoring up trade in a region Ottawa sees as key to counteracting coercive economic moves by China.