The new Buy-Low Foods store in Prince George had a dozen thefts reported in its first days in business.
RCMP were called to the Parkwood Place Mall store just 40 minutes after it opened its doors for the first time at 8 a.m. Friday to deal with a shoplifting report.
By Sunday, police had responded to 12 reports of stealing and charged 13 people. The total of the thefts was $450.
While most of the thefts were for small-dollar-value items, several people attempted to steal larger amounts of merchandise and were arrested by police," states Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, the RCMP's media relations officer. "Two people were arrested and released on undertakings with conditions not to return to the store and one person was held in custody until he could attend court. Charges of possession of a weapon, theft under $5,000 and fail to comply with a release order have been approved in that particular investigation.
Many of the suspects identified were previously known to police, Cooper stated, adding RCMP will work with store security to curb further thefts.
