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'Grandma' nabbed in shoplifting crackdown

Coquitlam RCMP and transit police working together to reduce shoplifting in the Tri-Cities
Shoplifting
Coquitlam RCMP and Metro Vancouver transit police are working together to combat shoplifting in the Tri-Cities.

A local senior had a bad day when she was caught shoplifting some makeup at a local store.

She was let off with a warning, but other thieves were not so lucky.

Local Mounties have been cracking down on prolific shoplifters who frequent stores in high-density areas in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam that are close to transit.

And some of their work resulted in people being arrested on other charges.

The police crackdown in March and June saw Coquitlam RCMP's Uniform Crime Reduction Unit, transit police and local businesses work together to catch criminals, resulting in seven people being taken into custody and 40 files opened on individuals.

SHOPLIFTING A PROBLEM

RCMP Cpl. Mike McLaughlin said the crackdown was initiated to combat shoplifting, which is one of the top criminal code offences in the region, not in response to the coming of the Evergreen Extension. And in some of the cases, people were picked up on warrants or breaches of conditions on other police files.

"I think it's great they're doing statistics analysis and addressing problem areas.That's just good police work,"  — Chamber executive director Michael Hind

Most of the offenders were Tri-City residents, but two people from outside of the area were  arrested during the March 24 blitz, police say.

Some youth were even caught in the police dragnet — and one senior — but they were given alternative ways to deal with their crimes because they didn't have a history of criminal activity, said RCMP spokesman Mike McLaughlin.
In the case of the senior, an elderly woman in her 80s who attempted to steal an item of cosmetics, the situation was dealt with on the spot, and the woman appeared contrite.

YOUTHS, SENIOR CAUGHT

The two youths were referred to Communities Embracing Restorative Justice, where they will take responsibility for their actions and make amends using restorative action procedures.

The effort has impressed the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce's executive director, Michael Hind, who said shoplifting is a constant thorn in the side of business owners, who end up dealing with it as a cost of doing business.
"I think it's great they're doing statistics analysis and addressing problem areas," Hind said. "That's just good police work."

More crackdowns are expected in the coming months as members of the Uniform Crime Reduction Unit work with local businesses and transit police to target areas where shoplifting occurs more frequently.

"It was in the denser areas of Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam where of course transit is served. It ended up working up quite well and exceeded our expectations," McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin said police statistics along with the knowledge and experience of store loss prevention officers will determine where future crackdowns will take place. Metro Vancouver Transit Police will also help out because its officers know people with criminal backgrounds who use transit to get around to commit crimes.

PICKED UP FOR OTHER CRIME

By combining knowledge and expertise, the law enforcement agencies can identify those who are in breach of conditions for crimes other than shoplifting, McLaughlin said, while also catching prolific shoplifters who typically try to steal costly items such as cheese, meat and electronics.

As to whether the Evergreen Extension is bringing increased crime into the area, as some predicted, it's too early to say. The chamber's Hind said he hasn't heard of any problems but, with summer coming, problems could still arise.
"It sounds like the police are being diligent and getting ahead of the game and that's a good thing," Hind said.

According to police, 20 files were created on March 24 and four people were brought into custody for various issues, including breach of conditions and because there were warrants out on them.

Similarly on June, resulted in 20 new files were opened with three people brought into custody, two people released on a Promise to Appear (in court) and one charge is still pending.