Police have seized $250,000 in designer clothes and accessories from an East Vancouver apartment allegedly run as an underground retailer for stolen property.
Sgt. Randy Fincham said officers raided the apartment on Saturday and discovered clothing racks, a dressing room, equipment to remove store sensor tags and a cash register.
“When they arrived they found an open door and saw 10 people inside this underground store shopping, trying on pieces of clothing,” Fincham said.
Photo gallery: Hoard of high-end goods seized in East Vancouver
Officers also found people believed to be dropping off more stolen merchandise to the apartment, located in the 5300-block of Victoria Drive.
Jackets, purses, sunglasses and other items were seized, with brands including North Face, Tommy Hillfiger, Mexx and Arc’teryx.
Some items ranged in value from $500 to $1,000 and many were being sold at one-third the retail price, Fincham said.
Two women, ages 45 and 53, were arrested. Both have been released pending further investigation.
Police said they will be contacting retailers to try and return as much of the suspected stolen property as possible.
Theft from retailers is a problem that ultimately costs consumers, Fincham added.
“All of us that are buying and purchasing items from retail stores pay somewhere in the neighbourhood of a 20 per cent markup on items to cover the loss and theft,” he said.
