Shoplifters beware: Police make arrests after watching suspects in stores

Anyone thinking about shoplifting from stores, may want to seriously consider if police, and others, may be watching them.

Mounties in West Kelowna apprehended 23 shoplifters over two days in November while working with local businesses and loss prevention officers in their sixth annual shoplifting blitz.

Police spokesperson Ryan Watters said thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise was returned to the participating businesses.

“Surveillance was conducted on the thieves while they were committing crimes inside the businesses and they were apprehended when exiting the stores. Some of the thieves attempted to leave the stores with shopping carts full of stolen merchandise (as shown in the accompanying photo),” Watters said.

RCMP say they regularly get reports of thefts in progress from different locations.

“The West Kelowna RCMP continues to be committed to preventing threats of, or violence towards the professionals that prevent retail theft in our communities,” Corporal Judith Bertrand stated.

“Thankfully, police officers have developed good partnerships with loss prevention officers. Together, the group can reduce shoplifting by collecting evidence and safely arresting the suspects while they are still in possession of the merchandise,” added Bertrand.