Mounties have two people still in custody after they allegedly committed multiple thefts from the BC Liquor Store at Port Place Shopping Centre over recent weeks. The pair face a total of 15 charges, including several breaches of court orders. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

crime spree

Nanaimo couple facing 15 charges after downtown liquor store thefts

Sep 25, 2026 | 10:07 AM

NANAIMO — A man and a woman remain in police custody awaiting a court date next week after a string of robberies at a downtown liquor store.

A 33-year-old man and 40-year-old woman were arrested Wednesday, Sept. 23, and are facing nine theft-related charges stemming from repeated incidents at the BC Liquor Store at Port Place Shopping Centre during the month of September.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said the business had been “hit hard” over recent weeks.

“It took a while to coordinate who was responsible, but when the right started talking to the left, we realized we probably had the same people involved. Our members did excellent work, identified who they were, and located these two people who are actually in a relationship.”

The pair are well known to police and are also facing additional charges of breaching previous court orders, bringing the total number of offences to 15.

crime spree

Nanaimo couple facing 15 charges after downtown liquor store thefts

38m ago

fall fair

132nd annual Vancouver Island Exhibition opens in Nanaimo

5h ago

rezoning application

Pair of medical office buildings near Nanaimo hospital proceeds to public hearing

18h ago

They remain in custody and are due in court on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

O’Brien said a more comprehensive report from Mounties is due ahead of the court appearance, which will factor into decisions on the pair’s immediate future.

For now, the decision was made to keep them locked up.

“[Crown] looked at [the initial report], and…based on their record and previous interactions with police, they felt it was in the public interest to keep them in custody.”

O’Brien said the thefts were isolated to the single store in downtown Nanaimo.

We’re on Bluesky! Stay up-to-date on news across central Vancouver Island through Bluesky by following @NanaimoNewsNOW.bsky.social.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

by Alex Rawnsley

Nanaimo couple facing 15 charges after downtown liquor store thefts

More Local News