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By Aaron Schulze

Reported Robberies

Williams Lake woman arrested after allegedly locking herself in business overnight and stealing items

Oct 26, 2022 | 6:45 AM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — A Williams Lake woman has been charged with two counts of break and enter that took place at local retail businesses between Oct. 15 and Oct. 17.

In a news release issued Tuesday (Oct. 25), Williams Lake RCMP say the woman is also charged with two counts of theft under $5,000.

According to police, the charges stem from when Williams Lake RCMP received a report of a break-in on Prosperity Way on Oct. 16. Employees arrived at the store after being told of suspicious activity from a security guard overnight.

RCMP say upon reviewing in-store video footage, it was determined a woman had locked herself inside the business overnight on Oct. 15 after the store closed. Once employees had departed, the suspect was seen on video stealing store merchandise and leaving.

The following day on Oct. 17, RCMP say they received a report of a shoplifter at a business on First Avenue North. Police say employees reported the suspect was currently in the store, and they recognized her from video surveillance as having committed a similar store break-out from the night before. Police attended and arrested the woman.

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Further investigation by Williams Lake RCMP resulted in p identifying the woman from both instances of breaking out of the retail businesses.

“We don’t, outside of the popular Home Alone movies, see many incidents of an accused remaining in a store after closing, so it is a unique MO for both the police and the local business community to be aware of,” Cpl. Brett Squire, Williams Lake RCMP media relations officer says. “In this case, quick information sharing between the businesses, and prompt reporting to police led to quick arrest.”

RCMP say the woman was released on conditions with a court date.