15 individuals were arrested and over $3,000 in merchandise was recovered by the Richmond RCMP during a recent retail theft operation.
The operation took place on April 20th, 2026as part of the department’s ongoing “Boost and Bust” initiative targeting property crime in city’s downtown core.
“The operation brought together frontline officers working in plainclothes and Loss Prevention Officers (LPOs) from multiple retail partners across Richmond’s commercial districts,” said the department in a release. “The coordinated approach allowed LPOs to relay real-time information to a dedicated police surveillance and enforcement team, enabling timely and targeted arrests.”
A total of 15 individuals, including three youths, were arrested by police.
Seven of the individuals are Richmond residents, while three are from Vancouver, two are from Langford, and the others from Delta, Kelowna, and Nanaimo.
Richmond RCMP arrest 15 during “Boost and Bust” retail theft operation https://t.co/NUpVNQXiUa pic.twitter.com/ZHNEM7bJ3p
— Richmond RCMP (@RichmondRCMP) May 13, 2026
Charges of theft under $5,000 will be recommended against 10 individuals. Eight of the suspects arrested had “prior negative interactions or history with police”.
One individual was also arrested on an outstanding warrant. All of the individuals arrested by police were offered referrals to social services.
“These targeted operations demonstrate the value of intelligence-led policing and strong partnerships with local retailers,” said Inspector Vaz Kassam, Richmond RCMP Operations Officer.
Food, clothing, and cosmetics were among the most commonly stolen items. The recovered items were valued at approximately $3,453.55.
“Retail theft affects businesses, staff and the broader community. By working together, we can disrupt this activity and help maintain a safe environment for everyone who lives, works and shops in Richmond,” added Inspector Vaz Kassam.
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