Officers with West Kelowna RCMP’s crime reduction unit successfully arrested 14 shoplifting suspects in an operation dubbed Project Sticky Fingers.

The retail theft enforcement operation was conducted on Sept. 11 and 12, according to an RCMP media release issued today, Sept. 18.

“Retail theft has a direct impact on businesses, employees, and our community as a whole,” RCMP Cpl. Bryan Mulrooney said in the release.

“Through Project Sticky Fingers, our team worked closely with partners in loss prevention to hold offenders accountable and disrupt those responsible for repeat theft and related crimes.”

Along with the 14 people arrested for shoplifting, police also arrested a person wanted in connection with a police chase in the Lower Mainland, two people who had breached court-orders and four people in possession of illegal drugs.

Officers recovered a stolen bicycle, several weapons and drugs and a 2006 Range Rover used in a “series of high-value thefts and frauds spanning multiple jurisdictions,” RCMP said.