16 arrested in Abbotsford shoplifting blitz dubbed ‘Pumpkin Spice LAW-tte’

Sep 17, 2026 | 11:25 AM

ABBOTSFORD – Sixteen people have been arrested as part of a large-scale retail theft blitz initiated by the Abbotsford PD in conjunction with a nationwide theft operation targeting crooks connected to retail crime.

In a statement, AbbyPD spokesperson Sgt. Paul Walker says Project Pumpkin Spice LAW-tte operation was led by the agency’s Street Outreach Respone Team (SORT) and involved 11 officers over a ten-hour span. The arrests occurred last Friday, Sept. 11.

During the operation, 16 people were arrested for a range of offences, including new theft-related charges and outstanding warrants. Officers also seized a vehicle as offence-related property and are pursuing its forfeiture. More than $1,600 worth of merchandise was identified as stolen, recovered, or returned during the blitz. Sgt. Walker says many of those arrested are already known to police.

Throughout the operation, officers also conducted warrant and condition compliance checks on numerous individual’s officers encountered.

“Abbotsford is home to hundreds of businesses, ranging from large retail chains and big-box stores to small, family-owned shops,” Sgt. Walker said. “”Shoplifting impacts the entire community by driving up costs for consumers, placing financial strain on businesses, and, in some cases, contributing to store closures. AbbyPD remains committed to working with businesses and residents to prevent theft, support victims, and hold offenders accountable.”

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As part of Project Pumpkin Spice LAW-tte, 20 retail outlets across Abbotsford participated in the operation.

Funding for this initiative was provided by the province of B.C.’s Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement Program (CSTEP) funding stream.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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16 arrested in Abbotsford shoplifting blitz dubbed ‘Pumpkin Spice LAW-tte’

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