Greater Victoria’s regional crime unit has arrested a Langley man in relation to the brazen theft of almost $20,000 worth of cigarettes stolen in half a dozen cases from Costco customers from Langford to Nanaimo.
Police believe the same man is responsible for 28 cases of cigarette thefts totalling more than $100,000 since August from Costco customers in B.C., including Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and the Interior, according to a news release from regional crime unit Staff Sgt. Gary Schenk.
The cigarette sting began in June following the theft of a large quantity of cigarettes from a vehicle in Saanich. Police suspected the victim was followed home from the parking lot of Costco in Langford.
The intensive investigation culminated in an arrest of a Langley man in Courtenay on Wednesday.
Christopher Sharafi, 46, has been charged with four counts each of mischief under $5,000 and theft under $5000, two counts of possession of stolen property under $5000, and one count each of disguise with intent, possession of break-in instruments, and failing to comply with condition of recognizance.
Sharafi is scheduled to appear in Western Communities provincial court on Jan. 28.
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