Big Cigarette Theft

Saanich Police are investigating the theft of nearly $6000 worth of assorted cigarette cartons from a local convenience store.

Early Friday afternoon (August 17th) an employee of the Burnside/Harriet “AM 2 PM” store purchased the bulk load of cigarettes from the Costco store in Langford.

He returned to his store in Saanich around 2 p.m. and unloaded the cigarettes into a storage area.

The cigarettes are believed to have been stolen within only 15 to 30 minutes of being unloaded.

A metal lock had been cut off. The scene was examined by a Forensic Identification investigator.

Police investigators are aware there have been several incidents on Vancouver Island this year where Costco customers buying bulk cigarettes were followed and then became the victims of similar thefts.

It is not known for certain if the same type of organized theft happened on Friday. Saanich Police are consulting with Costco officials and with other police including Nanaimo RCMP where they have had similar incidents.

Police are seeking the public’s assistance to report any suspicious activity near the back of the AM2PM store at Burnside and Harriet during the early afternoon on Friday.

The stolen cigarettes were contained in several cardboard boxes and were likely taken away in a vehicle.

Anyone with information is asked to call Greater Victoria CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or Saanich Police at 250-475-4321.

 

12-16777

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