Second round of Operation Barcode nabs shoplifters in Kelowna

Nearly three dozen arrests were made in a span of just four days as Mounties cracked down on shoplifters.

Community Safety Unit officers ran the second round of the Kelowna RCMP’s Operation Barcode, a program aimed at targeting repeat shoplifters by having plain-clothes officers working with Loss Prevention Officers and several retailers over a short period of time.

Operation Barcode ran from May 7 to 11 this year, during which officers made 34 arrests and recovered just over $6,000 in stolen merchandise.

Of those arrests, 21 resulted in criminal charges, seven people were banned from stores, and six people were referred to restorative justice. There were also three people wanted on outstanding warrants apprehended during the operation.

“Our team plays a large role in targeting and reducing property theft in our community and this operation continues to show its success,” Sgt. Scott Powrie of the Community Safety Unit, stated.

“Shoplifting remains one of our Crime Severity Index drivers and we will continue these types of initiatives until these figures change and we see more palatable numbers as a community.”