30 alleged shoplifters arrested in Surrey during 1-day police blitz

Surrey RCMP arrested 30 suspected shoplifters –including a 29-year-old repeat liquor thief –following a one-day blitz.

According to police, the blitz took place on April 11 and involved a total of 20 officers and 10 businesses.

The crackdown resulted in 30 arrests made on individuals who allegedly committed retail theft in the area.

The blitz came after Surrey RCMP’s Community Response Unit initiated an investigation that began in March 2018. A suspect was allegedly stealing liquor from several businesses in the City Centre, Guilford, and Newton areas. Between January and March, police believe the suspect committed over a dozen thefts.

On March 30, police arrested 29-year-old Manvir Dhindsa, was arrested in the South Surrey area. He has been charged with 12 counts of theft under $5,000 and three counts of breach of recognizance.

A report to crown counsel has been sent regarding the other suspected shoplifters.

“Working with our business partners to address certain types of criminal activity in our community, such as shoplifting and retail theft, is a priority for our Community Response Units,” said Community Support and Safety Officer Inspector Wendy Mehat, in a release.

“These types of crimes can often have detrimental effects on people’s feelings of safety, and are often a conduit to further crimes in our community. We take these kinds of concerns from our business community seriously as is evident by these investigations.”

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or contact Crime Stoppers if you wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca.