Surrey RCMP say a 91Ƶholiday bait package91Ƶ project has uncovered the city91Ƶs naughty and nice.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas the Mounties91Ƶ Property Crime Target Team (PCTT) conducted a project in two local malls with 91Ƶsomewhat surprising results.91Ƶ
Police said PCTT investigators placed packages containing 91Ƶname brand electronics and jewelry boxes in bags91Ƶ from local merchants in areas around the shopping mall 91Ƶsuch as the food court and seating areas.91Ƶ
Plainclothes officers kept watch over the packages to see if any thieves would take advantage of the situation.
RCMP said that during the five-day project, three men were arrested for alleged theft of a bait package. The three suspects, police said, 91Ƶhad a history of property crime or related criminal code offences.91Ƶ
Those men have all since been released to appear in court on later dates while the investigations continue.
But the project came with some good news, too.
Investigators said they were 91Ƶpleasantly surprised by the number of Good Samaritans91Ƶ who saw the unattended packages and turned them into a customer service booth or a security guard. Some 91Ƶsimply watched over the package in hopes of the owner returning.91Ƶ
Police said 91Ƶthese simple acts of kindness91Ƶ happened seven times throughout the bait package project.
91ƵThis is the first time our Property Crime (Target) Team has done a bait package project in Surrey,91Ƶ said Staff Sgt. Mike Hall, acting pro-active enforcement officer.
91ƵOnly having three subjects steal the package compared to the seven individuals who did the right thing was quite refreshing, especially around the holiday season.91Ƶ
lauren.collins@surreynowleader.com
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