40 arrested in Prince George retail theft crackdown, RCMP say

An RCMP patch is seen on the shoulder of Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards, Officer in Charge of the Surrey RCMP, during a news conference about the city's municipal police force transition, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday, April 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Dozens of people were arrested and more than $3,400 in merchandise was recovered during a retail theft blitz in Prince George.

The enforcement operation began at the beginning of July and was part of the Prince George RCMP’s “Boost and Bust” initiative targeting property crime in the city.

The detachment’s Problem Oriented Policing team partnered with retailers at Pine Centre Mall, Parkwood Mall, Walmart and Superstore.

Mounties said in total the team arrested 40 people and recovered thousands of dollars worth of stolen goods.

“The goal of the Boost and Bust projects is to assist retail outlets in Prince George that are feeling the effects of repeated theft by targeting shoplifters, with the assistance of the Loss Prevention Officers already working in these locations,” Cpl. Jennifer Cooper said in a news release on Monday.

Police said officers also carried out several traffic stops during the enforcement effort, which led to the seizure of approximately 180 grams of illicit narcotics, suspected to be fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine.

An additional $5,000 was recovered during the traffic stops as well.

So far this year, Prince George RCMP said the “Boost and Bust” initiative has resulted in approximately 60 arrests and the recovery of more than $5,000 worth of merchandise.

In some cases, police said suspects have been arrested for theft more than once and that information will be considered during the charge approval process.