Shoplifter Arrested While Officers Speak With Store Staff About Ongoing Shoplifting Issue

Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2022

File: 22-3098

Victoria, BC – Two VicPD officers, who were in their full duty uniform at a store in Mayfair Mall responding to a series of shoplifting incidents, arrested a man who attempted to shoplift in front of them.

At approximately 12:40 p.m. on Tuesday, January 25^th, two VicPD officers were speaking with staff at a store in the 3100-block of Douglas Street. Staff have recently faced several brazen shoplifting incidents, including a daytime robbery in which a staff member was assaulted. Both officers were wearing their full duty uniform, complete with shoulder crests, duty belts and “VICTORIA POLICE” emblazoned on their duty vests.

While officers were speaking with staff, one of them observed a man walking in a hurried manner, head lowered, with a packaged partially hidden under his jacket. The man walked past the cash registers and exited the store.

Officers caught up with the man and upon stopping him, discovered he had just stolen product from the store. He was arrested without incident.

The man was released pending a future court date with conditions including a condition banning him from mall property.

The property was returned to the store.

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