West Shore RCMP recovers illicit and prescription drugs, cash and stolen merchandise

On September 12, 2024, officers from both the West Shore RCMP Crime Reduction Unit and Drugs & Organized Crime Unit arrested 2 suspects who engaged in a shoplifting spree and allegedly stole approximately $10,000 worth of merchandise in one afternoon from businesses across the Capital Regional District.

Officers conducted covert surveillance on two male suspects, observing the pair attending multiple locations of Home Depot, London Drugs and Best Buy throughout the Capital Regional District and allegedly stealing from each store.

The pair was followed throughout the Capital Regional District and arrested by West Shore RCMP for shoplifting outside a business in Duncan. Subsequent to the arrests, police searched the suspect’s vehicle and recovered what officers believed to be over $10,000 worth of merchandise that was allegedly stolen earlier in the day. The vehicle has been seized by police and the suspects were released on Undertakings with an upcoming court date on December 12, 2024.

The suspects, who are not residents of Vancouver Island, are identified as 45 and 30-year old males. Additionally, a search warrant obtained by West Shore RCMP on September 13, 2024, was executed at the home of one of the suspects in New Westminster. With the assistance of the New Westminster Police, West Shore RCMP seized the following:

• approximately $30,000 worth of stolen merchandise including tools and electronics;
• approximately $20,000 worth of stolen high-end luxury clothing with the tags still attached;
• approximately 180 grams of suspected cocaine;
• approximately 5600 suspected counterfeit Fentanyl pills;
• approximately 900 suspected hydromorphone pills;
• approximately 1000 suspected benzodiazepines pills;
• and $30,000 cash was seized from the property.

Our officers worked diligently on this investigation, conducting surveillance on the suspects, arresting them and recovering stolen merchandise and cash, as well as thousands of doses of illicit and prescription drugs, said Superintendent Todd Preston, Officer in Charge of West Shore RCMP. I have had conversations with the BC Prosecutors Office and expressed the impact that chronic shoplifting is having on the West Shore. Our officers are still continuing this investigation and police are expecting charges to be forthcoming.