Coquitlam RCMP arrest 31 and recover over $6,000 in stolen property during retail theft crackdown

October 27, 2026 - Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia
From: Coquitlam RCMP

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Coquitlam RCMP arrested 31 people and recovered more than $6,000 in stolen property during a four-day retail theft enforcement operation conducted from September 14 to 17, 2026. Retail theft extends beyond financial losses, often placing employees in challenging situations, impacting customer safety, and contributing to broader criminal activity within our communities.

Coquitlam RCMP Proactive Community Engagement and Safety (PCES) Team partnered with the Organized Retail Crime Association of British Columbia (ORCA BC) in support of its National Shoplifting Blitz.

Using intelligence-led policing and crime trend analysis, Coquitlam RCMP officers conducted targeted enforcement at various retail locations.

“Retail theft affects everyone. It impacts businesses, places employees in difficult situations, and can contribute to broader criminal activity within our communities,” says Sergeant Adriana O'Malley. “Through targeted enforcement and strong partnerships with retailers and policing agencies, we are identifying offenders, recovering stolen property, and helping create a safer environment for businesses, employees and shoppers.”

Results from the four-day initiative include:

• 31 arrests
• 34 charge recommendations
• $6,190.00 in recovered property
• Seizure of two alleged weapons

Features from the Op:

As officers from Coquitlam RCMP PCES Team were at the detachment preparing for the operation, Coquitlam RCMP received a call about a theft in progress at a retailer in a local area mall. The PCES officers quickly flood the area to search for the suspects. While the suspects were not located, officers were able to recover and return over $2400.00 worth of clothing to the retailer. Coquitlam RCMP continue to actively work to identify the two individuals involved.

Among the 31 arrests made during the initiative was a woman who allegedly stole more than $1,500 worth of merchandise from a local retailer. She was released on a police undertaking and charge recommendations are being forwarded to Crown counsel.

As the holiday shopping season approaches, Coquitlam RCMP will continue working with retailers and community partners to address retail theft through targeted enforcement, intelligence-led policing, and crime prevention initiatives. Police encourage businesses and the public to report suspicious activity and thefts, as timely reporting plays an important role in identifying offenders and preventing future incidents. 

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