FILE: 2024-650 – Port Moody Police nabbed a prolific offender twice in the span of an hour during a Tuesday evening shoplifting bust.
On February 13, 2024, Port Moody Police officers were set up in Suter Brook Village for a shoplifting project with Loss Prevention Officers (LPO’s) at several retailers, after increases of reported shoplifting in the area. LPO’s were to notify police when a theft had been completed so an arrest could be made quickly.
At about 6:15 p.m., an LPO notified police of a man who had stolen food from a store then departed on foot. The suspect was arrested immediately and the items were recovered. As per Criminal Code release legislation, the man was released from scene with conditions as well as a future court date. However, within an hour of the incident, at approximately 7:15 p.m., LPO’s at a nearby store observed the same male steal more than $300 worth of liquor then flee. Police located the male and arrested him again. This time, given the repetition of the alleged offences, police held the suspect in custody to be seen by a Judge. Of note, the male has nearly 20 convictions for theft, as well as other Criminal Code convictions.
“Projects like this demonstrate the collaboration between police and local businesses” states Constable Sam Zacharias, adding that “with help of these retailers we were able to apprehend a prolific offender who remains in police custody at this time.”
Constable Sam Zacharias, #122
Media Relations Officer, Port Moody Police Department
(t) 604-461-3456 (f) 604-461-1734