Prolific shoplifter nabbed in West Kelowna after stealing for months

A “proactive” patrol by West Kelowna RCMP netted them a shoplifter who was high on their wanted list for months.

The bust happened yesterday, Sept. 6, at about 6 p.m. in the parking lot of a large West Kelowna department store, an RCMP news release says.

“The police officer observed the suspect loading stolen merchandise into his vehicle and arrested him at the scene,” the release says. “While investigating further, the police officer recovered an excessive amount of items stolen by the suspect within the previous two hours from three other different local businesses."

Police requested warrants for the man’s arrest in June and again in July following a number of thefts.

"This suspect was identified as a priority by our detachment as he was responsible for stealing thousands of dollars worth of electronics and tools from our local merchants,” RCMP Cpl. Judith Bertrand, media relation officer for the West Kelowna RCMP, said in the news release.

The suspect is scheduled to appear in court today and police plan to ask that he be kept in custody.

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