Victoria police have recovered more than $100,000 worth of stolen property, cash and illicit drugs after searching two local homes in February.
While investigating drug trafficking in the region, officers uncovered a “sophisticated retail theft operation” targeting downtown retailers and other businesses, police said in a Monday news release.
They carried out search warrants in the 700-block of Courtney Street and the 600-block of Speed Street on Feb. 23, seizing $94,000 in retail merchandise, $19,000 in cash and 2.5 kilograms of drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl. Stolen goods included clothing, wallets, sunglasses, electronics, and more.
According to police, the suspects in the operation would use a centralized phone number to sell the stolen goods to buyers in exchange for drugs. A “dispatcher” would appraise the items over the phone, “usually at a fraction of their original retail value,” and offer a corresponding amount of drugs.
“Individuals involved in the operation would often make requests or provide lists of desired items to property crime offenders,” the Victoria Police Department wrote.
No arrests have been made in connection to the investigation.
The Victoria Police Department said it began its targeted retail theft projects late last year in response to business owners’ concerns about safety and “brazen” shoplifting.
Officers have previously recovered more than $15,000 in stolen merchandise as part of the initiative and arrested 18 people, some of whom were already on court-ordered conditions relating to previous shoplifting charges, or had outstanding warrants for theft.
“It’s nothing new, it’s been going on for a long time,” said Bruce Williams, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. “It is getting tiring for a lot of people because it just happens day after day, and it’s the same prolific offenders that are doing it.”
A recent three-week anti-shoplifting blitz by the Vancouver Police Department resulted in 215 arrests and 217 charges related to 200 incidents across the city. Last week, the VPD said 47 of those arrested were repeat offenders, and just under $80,000 of stolen merchandise was recovered.
Twenty-four weapons were also seized, 18 of which were knives.
In its release, Victoria police encouraged local retail outlets to continue reporting theft by calling 250-995-7654, extension 1.