3 Burnaby residents arrested, $200K in stolen goods recovered in theft ring sting

Three Burnaby residents have been arrested, and more than $200,000 worth of stolen luxury goods have been recovered in connection with an alleged theft ring, the Metro Vancouver Transit Police (MVTP) says.

Police say they executed a search warrant at a home on Sept. 13 after an investigation into a seller on Facebook Marketplace who was selling items that were alleged to have been stolen.

The search uncovered 14 large garbage bags full of luxury consumer goods, many of which still had retail tags attached. As well, police found $3,805 in cash, which they believe to be the proceeds of crime.

“When it comes to large-scale retail crime, what experience tells us is that thieves will often look to transit hubs by shopping malls as their means of making a getaway,” said Const. Amanda Steed.

“They will then return to transit property as a meeting spot to sell those goods to unsuspecting buyers.”

A 46-year-old man, a 30-year-old man, and a 53-year-old woman were arrested at the home.

Police are recommending charges of possession and trafficking of stolen property.

The recovered goods are now being traced back to the luxury stores they were stolen from, the MVTP says.