Suspect in alleged shoplifting incident dating back to January 31st, 2025 in the Sahali Mall/via Kamloops RCMP, Google Street View
Kamloops Mounties are putting out call for public help in identifying a suspect in a shoplifting investigation.
The alleged theft goes back over three weeks ago inside — what appears to have been — the Fresh Co in Sahali Mall.
“On Monday Jan. 31, 2025, just before noon, the Kamloops RCMP Detachment received a report of a theft involving several hundred dollars’ worth of groceries from a commercial location on the 900-block of Columbia Street,” said the RCMP in a release.
“So far, police have been unable to identify the suspect and are releasing an image of her to the public in an attempt to further the investigation,” added Corporal Dana Napier, a spokesperson for the Kamloops RCMP Detachment.
Those who may know the suspect shouldn’t have much difficulty in identifying them.
“The suspect was described as having distinct pink hair, wearing a blue Reebok hoodie, multicolored leggings, and grey Crocs at the time of the incident,” said Kamloops RCMP.
The alleged shoplifting at the end of January comes as RCMP in Kamloops have noted a sizeable increase in shoplifting incidents.
Latest figures released by the Mounties through the 3rd quarter of last year show a 13% increase compared the July to September period.
RCMP crime statistics released to the City of Kamloops on November 28, 2024/via Kamloops RCMP
While the most up-to-date figures aren’t expected to be available until the early Spring, previous analysis suggests the uptick in shoplifting has been on a steady rise the past few years over the winter months as well.
RCMP crime stats through the first quarter of 2024/via Kamloops RCMP
Analysis of shoplifters would suggest that most people who are caught claim they didn’t intend to walk away without paying.
“Many shoplifters buy and steal merchandise in the same visit,” noted the City of Kamloops in its crime prevention literature it puts out to local businesses. “Shoplifting is often NOT a premeditated crime, [with] over 70% of shoplifters [saying they] do not plan to steal in
advance.
The City says those who do make it a habit seem to find it one that’s difficult to break until they’re caught.
“Shoplifters steal an average of 1.6 times per week,” added the crime prevention literature. “Shoplifters commonly steal between $2 and
$200 of merchandise per incident, depending on the type of store and item(s) chosen.”
The North Shore Business Improvement Association says that around $750,000 was stolen from stores in Kamloops through the course of 2023.
A full tally of the figures for 2024 have not been revealed.
