Three people, including two from Burnaby, have been arrested and are facing numerous charges after more than 800 items were stolen from lululemon stores across the Lower Mainland.
In a news release today, Aug. 15, Metro Vancouver Transit Police said they arrested a 39-year-old Vancouver man on April 14, 2024, for Theft Over $5,000 at the Metrotown SkyTrain Station after being alerted to the suspect's alleged shoplifting routine, which included using transit as a getaway.
While investigating, with help from lululemon technology capabilities, police found the suspect was involved in a larger scale theft operation, which used Facebook Marketplace to sell a "large volume" of stolen merchandise and meet buyers along the SkyTrain system for the exchange.
Transit Police then executed a warrant on July 26, 2024, at a home in the 4200-block Sardis Street in Burnaby, resulting in the arrests of a 39-year-old man and a 34-year-old man — both residents of Burnaby — on charges of Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000.
Items seized at the residence included:
- More than 800 lululemon clothing items retailed at $97,468
- $17,630 in Canadian currency
- $1,700 in American currency
"We are hopeful that a clear message has been sent to would-be criminals that attempting to conduct criminal activity along the transit system, or using public transit to further their criminal activities, will not be tolerated"
— Metro Vancouver Transit Police (@TransitPolice) August 15, 2024
Read the release: https://t.co/1JXdRNR8lF https://t.co/DbouzcsY5z
“We are hopeful that a clear message has been sent to would-be criminals that attempting to conduct criminal activity along the transit system, or using public transit to further their criminal activities, will not be tolerated," Transit Police Cst. Amanda Steed said in the release.
"Transit Police is dedicated to bringing anyone who would engage in this behavior to justice. We also ask that the public pause to consider that any high-quality product being sold at a discount rate online by a third party may be stolen.”
“We take our role in helping to create a safe and secure environment very seriously, and today’s announcement underscores the effectiveness of our partnership with law enforcement and investments in advanced technology and case-building capabilities to combat retail crime and hold perpetrators accountable," lululemon Asset Protection Vice President Tristen Shields added.
"We remain committed to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this important industry-wide issue.”
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