Vancouver police bust undercover retail store selling high-end items

A quarter of a million dollars worth of high-end suspected stolen merchandise has been confiscated from an underground store by Vancouver police last weekend.

VPD spokesperson Randy Fincham says officers received a tip that stolen merchandise was being sold from an apartment located in the 5300 block of Victoria Drive.

“When officers arrived, they found an open door and saw 10 people inside this underground store, shopping and trying on pieces of clothing,” says Fincham. “They found a kitchen area that was run with a fairly sophisticated system of retagging clothing, removing sensor tags as well as running a cash register for the sale at this property.”

He says the officers saw people coming and going, some dropping off more of suspected stolen merchandise.

High-end brands, such as North Face, Tommy Hilfiger and Mexx, were found in the 500-square-foot apartment that had a dressing room and a display room lined with clothing. A second room was dedicated to children’s clothing. The kitchen cabinets were full of designer wallets and perfume.

Fincham says the items were being sold at a third of the retail price.

“This was an apartment that had a very sophisticated retail operation being run out of it,” says Fincham.

Two Vancouver women, 45 and 53-years old, were arrested for being in possession of stolen property over $5,000.

They have been released from custody, pending further investigation.

Police will now be trying to identify the lawful owner of the suspected stolen merchandise, and have a warning for consumers.

“If you are buying stuff, and you are attending one of these underground retail centers, what you are doing is supporting an underground economy of retail theft happening in the city of Vancouver,” says Fincham.