217 people with combined 4,695 previous convictions arrested during Vancouver shoplifting crackdown

Vancouver police said Wednesday that 217 people were arrested during a three-week crackdown on shoplifting.

“Retail crime is growing in major cities throughout North America, and in Vancouver we continue to see an alarming trend of repeat offenders and people using violence to commit their crimes,” said Staff Sgt. Mario Mastropieri, a spokesman for the VPD’s operations division.

“Business owners are frustrated by the financial losses and by the danger employees face for merely coming to work to earn a living, so we’re doing everything we can to help everyone feel safe again.”

Twenty-eight retailers participated in the three-week project and 280 thefts were investigated, according to police. Investigators say the 217 arrested had a combined total of 4,695 previous convictions. Nearly $80,000 in stolen merchandise was returned and 24 weapons were seized.