Victoria police arrest 8 people, recover over $11K in stolen merchandise

Last week, officers from VicPD’s Patrol division conducted a retail theft project which resulted in eight arrests and the recovery of over $11,000 in stolen merchandise.

Between Jan. 17 and Jan. 20, 2023, officers targeted shoplifters at a busy downtown retailer.

Over about 13-hours, officers arrested eight people for theft under $5,000 and recovered over $11,000 in stolen merchandise.

The individual incidents of theft ranged from $477 to $3,200.

One suspect was already on conditions not to be in the area from a previous arrest for shoplifting at the same retailer less than three weeks earlier.

VicPD officers conducted a similar retail theft project in December 2022 where they made 17 arrests and recovered about $5,000 in stolen merchandise during the three-day project.

“These projects were in response to continued concerns from retailers and security staff about brazen thefts and safety concerns related to shoplifting,” said the VicPD.