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Suspect arrested after shoplifting from Ladysmith clothing store and yelling goodbye

Incident happened at Four One One Apparel last week
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Samantha Elkiw, owner of Four One One Apparel business, pictured in her store on First Avenue. (Duck Paterson photo)

A suspect who yelled “bye” to a clothing store owner during a shoplifting incident in Ladysmith last week was arrested the next day.

According to Ladysmith RCMP, officers received a report Oct. 27 at about 3:30 p.m. of a theft from Four One One Apparel on First Avenue. A male suspect stole clothing and was observed getting into a vehicle and driving away.

Samantha Elkiw, store owner, said a male and female customer browsed for close to half an hour and left. Half an hour after that, the male customer returned alone and picked out several items.

“He came up to the register, and I figured he was going to pay for his items, but he just yelled ‘bye’ and then bolted from the store,” she said.

She followed the suspect and saw him get into an SUV and drive away. She reported the incident, reporting a vehicle description and licence plate, and heard back the next day from West Shore RCMP, who told her they were investigating a similar case. Later that day, Ladysmith RCMP located the suspect vehicle and a male suspect was arrested “on an unrelated matter.”

Police said the investigation into the theft is continuing with charges pending.

-files from Duck Paterson



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