Crime

21 people arrested in ‘Boost and Bust’ project at Superstore

Dec 16, 2021 | 1:58 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Prince George RCMP arrested 21 people during a three-day shoplifting blitz at Superstore.

Dubbed the “Boost and Bust” campaign, the blitz built off the recent success with similar projects at London Drugs and stores within Pine Centre Mall.

It took place the beginning of this month with over $8,000 worth of merchandise recovered.

“Several times, investigators arrested offenders with over $1000 worth of stolen product on them. Police are familiar with all of the people they arrested for shoplifting, and found three were in breach of their court-ordered conditions at the time of their arrest,” says Cpl. Jennifer Cooper.

Police are forwarding the following charges to the B.C. Prosecution Service:

  • Theft under $5000 x 18
  • Breach of court ordered conditions x 4
  • Obstruct a police officer x 2
  • Resist arrest x 1

Investigators held two of the offenders, 31-year-old, New Hazelton resident Walter Wilson and 25-year-old, Prince George resident Skylar Jakesta, for court. Both offenders will remain in custody until their next court appearance. The B.C. Prosecution Service approved the following charges in these files:

Walter Wilson:

  • Resist arrest
  • Possession of a scheduled substance x2

Skylar Jakesta:

  • Theft under $5000
  • Fail to comply with undertaking
  • Fail to comply with probation

“We will continue to work with local business to target prolific shoplifters. Many of the people arrested during these projects are known to the businesses we collaborate with, so it is an efficient system when we can work with the Loss Prevention Officers on site to catch offenders in the act” says Cpl. Kurt Chapman, NCO in charge of Community Policing.