Image: Surrey RCMP / Surrey RCMP collaborated with Delta Police and Transit Police last week to make 26 arrests and recover thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise during a one-day operation in Guildford. One individual was arrested twice in one day and subsequently released, as expected.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

RCMP makes 26 arrests in retail theft ring

RCMP makes 26 arrests for retail theft, arrests one guy twice in 90 minutes

Jun 6, 2023 | 8:58 AM

SURREY — A collaborative effort by Surrey RCMP, Transit Police and Delta Police has resulted in 26 arrests and the recovery of thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise during a one-day operation in Guildford, including one repeat offender who was arrested twice in one day.

In a news release Monday from Corporal Vanessa Munn, Surrey RCMP’s North Community Response Unit, in partnership with Metro Vancouver Transit Police Service Crime Suppression Team and Delta Police Service Patrol Support Team, teamed up to target retail theft on May 25 at Guildford Town Centre in Surrey.

In one day, police made 26 arrests, including executing five arrest warrants, and recommended 15 criminal charges. Over $5,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered including, food, clothing, electronics, and cosmetics. The people arrested ranged in age from teenagers to adults in their forties.

One of the individuals arrested, 26-year-old Donovan Alexander from Vancouver, is facing two theft under $5,000 charges stemming from the joint project after being caught by police twice within 90 minutes. He was released on an undertaking to appear in court for the first alleged theft, and picked up again an hour and a half later after being observed stealing from a supermarket.

Image: Surrey RCMP / Some of the stolen merchandise that police recovered during a one-day operation last week (May 25) at Guildford Town Centre in Surrey.

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Donovan Alexander was then held in police custody and appeared in Surrey Provincial Court. He was later released by the courts on conditions not to be in the city of Surrey, except under prescribed conditions including attending court.

“We recognize that criminals are conducting retail theft across municipal borders, often using public transit, and their crimes have a significant negative impact on the community, including local businesses. These crimes result in additional costs to our families with each purchase we make,” North Community Response Unit Commander S/Sgt Nigel Pronger said. “Surrey RCMP is thankful for the assistance and strong partnerships with both Transit and Delta Police, who contributed to this enforcement operation.”

“Transit Police works closely with our jurisdictional police partners, ensuring the safety of Transit passengers, while also working on projects to target those criminals who use public transit to commit crime,” said Constable Amanda Steed of Metro Vancouver Transit Police. “The number of arrests are a strong reflection that teamwork made this joint effort a huge success.”

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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RCMP makes 26 arrests for retail theft, arrests one guy twice in 90 minutes

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