An arrest on a SkyTrain by Metro Vancouver Transit Police officers in April has led to the recovery of nearly $100,000 worth of stolen lululemon products.
The MVTP said in a statement Thursday that the initial arrest of a 39-year-old Vancouver man at the Metrotown SkyTrain Station came after they had been tipped off to the suspect’s “alleged shoplifting routine, including his dependence on using SkyTrain as his getaway vehicle.”
“During the course of their investigation, and utilizing technology capabilities from lululemon, officers discovered that the suspect was allegedly involved in a large scale, organized theft operation, targeting lululemon stores across the Lower Mainland,” the MVTP said.
“The operation used Facebook Marketplace to sell a large volume of the stolen merchandise to online buyers, meeting them along the SkyTrain system for the exchange.”
In July, police arrested another two people in connection to the theft ring after a home in Burnaby was searched. The 39-year-old and 34-year-old men, both of Burnaby, were charged with trafficking and property obtained by crime.
Police say they seized over 800 lululemon items, with a “retail value of $97,468.” Cash, including over $17,600 in Canadian dollars and $1,700 in U.S. dollars, was also seized.
“We are hopeful that a clear message has been sent to would-be criminals that attempting to conduct criminal activity along the transit system, or using public transit to further their criminal activities, will not be tolerated,” MVTP Const. Amanda Steed said.
“Transit Police is dedicated to bringing anyone who would engage in this behavior to justice. We also ask that the public pause to consider that any high-quality product being sold at a discount rate online by a third party may be stolen.”