Two individuals, who identified as being from Romania, were arrested by RCMP on the Marine Atlantic Ferry in Port aux Basques on Tuesday night (October 25, 2022), in relation to the theft of perfumes from Shoppers Drug Marts. Efforts to confirm their identities are underway. The pair attended court yesterday and were remanded into custody.
On Tuesday evening, the two entered the Shoppers Drug Mart in Stephenville, were confronted by an employee and were asked to leave the store. They were observed departing in a vehicle, a description of which was provided to police. Officers from Bay St. George and Channel-Port aux Basques RCMP conducted extensive patrols in an effort to locate the vehicle and occupants.
A short time later, police received confirmation that the two were at the Marine Atlantic Ferry Terminal in Port aux Basques. The pair, who are believed to be responsible for a number of significant thefts at Shoppers Drug Mart locations in the St. John's metro area and Gander, were arrested on board the vessel as they were waiting to depart the province. The vehicle they were traveling in was seized as part of the investigation. Police are in the process of obtaining a warrant to search the vehicle for the stolen property.
Both individuals are charged with theft over $5000.00 in relation to the theft of more than $8000.00 of perfumes from the Shoppers Drug Mart in Gander.
Following the arrests, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary was engaged and has since laid two charges of theft over $5000.00 with respect to thefts that occurred at Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Paradise and St. John's on October 23, 2022. Their investigations are continuing.
The pair attended court via teleconference yesterday and were remanded into custody. They will appear in person at Provincial Court in Gander tomorrow.
RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.
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