By Canadian Press

Police say shoplifting started at new B.C. store 40 minutes after first opening

Jun 18, 2024 | 4:18 PM

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Police say a new grocery store in Prince George, B.C., has been hit by a spate of shoplifting that began 40 minutes after it opened its doors for the first time.

The Buy-Low Foods store opened on Friday and police say that over the next three days a total of 12 shoplifting incidents were reported, involving 13 people and just over $450 in stolen merchandise.

An RCMP news release says two people were arrested and released with undertakings not to return to the store, while a third was taken into custody on charges of possession of a weapon, theft under $5,000 and failing to comply with a release order.

Police say officers will continue working with loss-prevention staff to curb shoplifting at the new Buy-Low.

RCMP Cpl. Jennifer Cooper says theft has become “a common problem” in most retail locations throughout Prince George.

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Cooper says police are catching repeat shoplifters at numerous retail locations and many of the suspects in the Buy-Low incidents were known to police.

“Our downtown safety unit has been targeting it for the last two years, it seems to becoming more and more of a prolific problem that we’re dealing with,” she said in an interview Tuesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June. 18, 2024.

The Canadian Press