Retail Security: Spotting and Preventing Shoplifters at Arc'teryx

This past November at an Arc’teryx store within Coquitlam Center Mall in Coquitlam, a neighbouring city of Vancouver, Blackbird Security retail security guard Gautam Suri demonstrated exceptional bravery and quick training recall when he recovered 18 stolen items worth over $19,000 from organized retail crime (ORC) thieves. Today, we’re sharing the story and highlighting key takeaways that can help business owners and fellow retail security guards spot shoplifters, prevent thefts, and respond to incidents this holiday season. 

The Attempted Theft at Arc’teryx Near Vancouver

At approximately 11 AM, three suspicious individuals entered the store and began removing jackets from display racks, carrying multiple jackets in each hand. Gautam, the on-duty retail security guard stationed near the store entrance, noticed their behaviour and took immediate action to intervene. Despite Gautum’s verbal instructions to stop immediately, the suspects ignored him. They became aggressive and proceeded toward the store exit, pushing Gautam out of the way as they fled.

Gautam quickly followed the suspects out of the store and into the main mall area. While in pursuit, he called 911 and provided details of the incident and descriptions of the suspects to the operator. During the pursuit, one suspect tripped and fell near the mall exit. This allowed Gautum to recover eight jackets from that particular suspect before they managed to flee the mall premises. The recovered hackets were handed to Coquitlam Center mall security for safekeeping.

The two remaining suspects exited the mall and entered a waiting taxi parked nearby. Gautam approached the taxi and firmly instructed the driver to step out of the vehicle. At this point, the two remaining suspects fled without their stolen goods and Gautum successfully recovered the remaining 10 jackets from the taxi. 

Constable Kenwards, of the Coquitlam RCMP, arrived promptly at the scene. Gautam provided photographs of the suspects and a detailed account of the incident to assist in the ongoing investigation. During the altercation outside, two mobile phones belonging to the suspects had been dropped at the scene. Coquitlam Center mall security recovered them, and the RCMP may additionally use them in their investigation into this ORC incident. 

The Recovered Arc’teryx Merchandise

In total, 18 jackets were recovered from the thieves. The description of the goods is as follows:

• 7 Women’s Liatris Down Jacket - $1000 each
• 1 Men’s Solano Down Hoodie - $637.50 each
• 2 Men’s Ralle Down Parka - $1100 each
• 8 Women’s Liatris Long Coat - $900 each

Gautam displayed remarkable bravery during his pursuit of the thieves. His quick decision-making resulted in recovering a total post-tax value of $19,082.00 for our client. 

Key Takeaways From Gautam’s Retail Security Response: How to Prevent Organized Retail Crime

Retail security guard Gautam combined quick thinking with training knowledge, resulting in a successful recovery pursuit. Here’s a breakdown of the actions he took and why they mattered:

Identifying ORC Members

Since most ORC heists operate at incredibly quick speeds, swift identification is essential. Gautam immediately identified the individuals as thieves due to their unusual behaviour of grabbing multiple jackets at once. Additionally, ORC groups often wear the following distinctive garments which help identify them as thieves:

• Masks or face coverings
• Hoods
• Bulky outerwear
• Long sleeves
• Large bags

Retail security guards should be alert for individuals who frequently glance at store security cameras, distract store staff with conversation, and enter in groups. These are behavioural signs often exhibited by individuals involved in ORC. 

Instructions Suspects to Stop

Upon realizing a theft was taking place, Gautam immediately instructed the thieves to stop, placing himself between the thieves and the exit. Verbal de-escalation is a critical first step when responding to any security incident as it gives thieves a chance to stop before further action is required.

Another key moment was when Gautam confronted the taxi driver with instructions to step out of the vehicle. Doing so prevented the suspects from escaping in the vehicle, allowing Gautam to recover the remainder of the stolen merchandise.

Contacting Law Enforcement

During the pursuit, Gautam dialled 911 and gave law enforcement critical information about the thieves. His choice to dial 911 during that moment allowed police to respond quickly to the scene.

Swift Pursuit

A key moment of the pursuit was when one of the suspects tripped and fell near the mall entrance, dropping the jackets he was carrying. Since Gautam was in pursuit, he took advantage of the suspect’s blunder and immediately recovered the items, handing them over to mall security. 

Why Advanced Training Matters: The Blackbird Difference

At Blackbird Security, each of our guards received advanced training beyond the standard training required to become a security guard. This training is conducted through our in-house training program, Blackbird Academy. 

With the guidance of our training team, guards are led through courses covering key topics such as Standard First Aid, Introduction to Canadian Criminal Law, Peaceful De-escalation, Reporting Excellence, Fire Safety Training, and Use of Force. This training provides our security guards with the best information and resources, allowing them to deliver premium security services for our clients. 

Partner with Canada’s Best Retail Security Company

We at Blackbird Security are immensely proud of Gautam for his quick thinking and success in safely recovering the goods stolen from Arc’teryx. He protected our client with professionalism, quick thinking, and resourcefulness, factors shared among all our retail security guards. 

Our team is experienced in preventing retail thefts across Canada in major cities including Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Edmonton. Whether you want to increase your security coverage for the 2024 holiday shopping season or want long-term coverage, our professional team is ready to help. Contact us through the form below to learn how we can safeguard your store.