St. Albert RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) focus on shoplifting prevention with retail crime blitz

October 21, 2026 - St. Albert, Alberta
From: Alberta RCMP

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St. Albert Alta. - Between Aug 18 to Sept 5, 2026, the St. Albert RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) participated in a retail crime blitz, in partnership with local businesses and community partners within the Municipality of St. Albert. This most recent operation resulted in the arrest of 12 adults, 6 youths, and the execution of eleven outstanding warrants. The following persons recently had charges approved through the Pre Charge Approval process and provided with court dates upon their release from custody. A judicial interim release hearing was held for two of the accused.  Some highlights of the operation include:

• A 62-year-old resident of Spruce Grove, and a 57-year-old resident of Edmonton was arrested on Aug 19 at a local box store after concealing a total of $120 of merchandise in reuseable bags and exiting the store. Both were charged with theft under $5000 . Both were released from custody and are set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Albert on Dec 7, 2026 (Spruce Grove resident) and Oct 19, 2026 (Edmonton resident). 
• A 19-year-old resident of Edmonton was arrested on Sept 3 at a local box store after concealing $162 of merchandise and exiting the store. The individual was charged with theft under $5000. They were released from custody and is set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Albert on Oct 26, 2026   
• A 59-year-old resident of Edmonton was arrested on Sept 3 at a local box store after pushing a shopping cart full of merchandise worth $765 out of the store with out paying. The individual was charged with theft Under $5000 and multiple outstanding warrants were executed. They were released from custody and is set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Albert on Dec 7, 2026.
• A 35-year-old resident of Parkland County was arrested on Sept 4 at local grocery store after walking out the emergency exit with over $1000 of merchandise. A foot pursuit ensued before being apprehended.  The individual charged with theft under $5000,  fail to comply with release order, resisting arrest. They were on 24h house arrest at the time of these offences.  A judicial interim release hearing was held, and the individual has been remanded into custody.
• A 44-year-old resident of St. Albert was arrested on Sept 4 at a local grocery store after stealing merchandise. The individual had 2 outstanding warrants and was charged with one count of theft under $5000. They were released from custody and is set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Albert on Oct 26, 2026.
• A 42-year-old resident of St Albert and a 45-year-old resident of St. Albert was arrested on Sept 4 at a local box store after concealing merchandise in reusable bags. $91 worth of merchandise recovered. Each were charged with theft under $5000. Both were released from custody and are set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Albert on Oct 26, 2026.
• A 51-year-old resident of Edmonton was arrested on Sept 5 at a local box store after concealing $87 of merchandise in a backpack. The individual was charged with theft under $5000. They were released from custody and is set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Albert on Oct 26, 2026 
• A 46-year-old resident of Edmonton and a 41-year-old resident of Edmonton was arrested on Sept 3 at a local box store after loading up a shopping cart with $1840 worth of Lego and concealing it with a blanket over top and then exiting the store. 
  The 46-year-old was wanted on numerous outstanding warrants. Both were charged with theft under $5000. A judicial interim release hearing was held for the 46-year-old, and they were remanded into custody. The 41-year-old was released from custody and is set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Albert on Dec 7, 2026 .

“Keeping our community safe is a shared responsibility. Through continued collaboration with our community partners, the St Albert RCMP is taking proactive action to prevent crime, hold offenders accountable, and help build a safer community for everyone” says acting Staff Seargent Terrence Willard / Ops Support NCO.

Anyone with information regarding crime in their community are asked to contact the St. Albert RCMP at (780) 458-7700 or 310-RCMP (7267)

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