Between March 10-20, 2026, Airdrie, Lloydminster, Parkland, Red Deer, St. Albert, Strathcona County, Wetaskiwin and Wood Buffalo detachments participated in a retail crime blitz. In total, 65 arrests were made, resulting in 48 criminal charges.

Of the 65 arrests, 10 of the individuals were wanted on warrants and 21 had over 30 previous charges, suggesting that a large portion of retail crime is perpetrated by recidivist criminals.

Information from the blitz was used by the Alberta RCMP Community Response Team to arrest a 33-year-old male and execute a search warrant on a residence in St. Albert. This resulted in $26,498 in clothing being recovered, contributing to a total of over $40,000 in retail goods recovered throughout the blitz.

The following charges are pending against the 33-year-old male:

• Trafficking in Stolen Property x2; and

• Possession of Stolen Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000.

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“More frequently we are finding violent recidivist criminals engaging in retail crime, elevating the risk for employees and shoppers alike” says S/Sgt. Luke Halvorson, Community Safety and Well-being Branch. “The Alberta RCMP uses data and intelligence to focus resources. While many other property crime types have decreased, the Alberta RCMP can focus on the rise of retail crime.”