Parkland RCMP arrests six individuals in retail theft blitz

PARKLAND COUNTY---- A retail crime blitz was conducted by the Parkland RCMP on November 21st in collaboration with the Retail Council of Canada.

A retail crime blitz refers to a targeted enforcement campaign meant to reduce thefts and other similar offences in a retail environment. 

Police arrested six offenders in total for theft, breach of conditions and other criminal code charges.

The first offender tried to steal items worth $300 from a business in Spruce Grove and was also charged with possession of a dangerous weapon along with theft.

The second offender was caught swapping price tags at a business in Spruce Grove and has had 30 convictions since 2017, six of which were theft related. They were charged with breach of conditional sentence order and breach of release order.

The third offender was arrested while breaching a probation order due to a previous theft conviction. They were caught in a Spruce Grove business. 

Police dealt with the remaining three offenders using alternative means with the help of the businesses.

"Retail theft not only impacts businesses financially but also drives up prices for consumers and threaten community safety," said Corporal Yannick Coulombe of the Parkland RCMP Detachment.

Parkland RCMP is urging residents to remain cautious and report any suspicious behavior to help protect the local economy.

If you want to report a theft related incident or any other crime, you can contact the Parkland RCMP at 825-220-726. For the sake anonymity, you can contact  Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.