Surge in organized retail crime prompts a co-ordinated response

Five individuals and two youths have been charged in relation to an organized retail crime operation that took place at CF Chinook Centre.

After seeing a concerning rise in organized retail crime, the Calgary Police Service worked alongside the Retail Council of Canada, retail businesses and security teams to develop a co-ordinated response to protect stores, staff and shoppers.

In 2024, retail theft in Canada surpassed $9 billion, with organized groups increasingly targeting high-value goods for resale. The rise in theft has led to increased security costs, declining sales for retailers and growing concern among frontline retail workers.

So far in 2025, the Calgary Police Service has received approximately 400 service calls from retail stores. Of those 400 calls, 142 were related to theft and five were related to robbery. In addition, we have received 3,273 reports through the Calgary Police Service online reporting system.

“Retail crime may seem like a victimless offence, but it has real consequences for our community,” says Inspector Travis Juska. “It affects business owners, employees and our city’s overall sense of safety.

In response, we are working closely with retailers to:

• Share intelligence on known offenders and theft patterns.
• Encourage timely reporting of all incidents and introduce a direct reporting channel to police and security teams.
• Promote crime prevention strategies and staff training.

Between Tuesday, May 13 to Thursday, May 15, 2025, officers from the Organized Retail Crime Team conducted targeted enforcement at retail stores in CF Chinook Centre, located at 6455 Macleod Trail S.W., to identify and apprehend individuals involved in retail theft.

As a result of the investigation, five adults and two youths, who cannot be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, have been charged in relation to the assaults.

Ross Anthony SWAILE, 44, of Calgary, has been charged with three counts of theft under $5,000.

SWAILE is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

Shannon Erin LINDEMANN, 23, Kathleen Lucy BIG PLUME, 21, Benjamin Joseph DOHY, 34, Kevin Bruce SNELL, 43, and two youth, have been charged with one count of theft under $5,000.

BIG PLUME is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, June 30, 2025.

DOHY is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

“Retailers are the backbone of our local economy,” says Executive Advisor of the Retail Council of Canada, Rui Rodrigues. “We must work together to ensure Calgary remains a safe place to shop and do business.

Retailers and local businesses are urged to invest in theft deterrence technologies and to report all retail thefts to the Calgary Police Service to ensure a united front against organized retail crime through the following ways:

• In an emergency, call 911.
• For non-emergencies, call 403-266-1234.
• Report online at www.calgarypolice.ca
• Report anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
• Visit a district to report in person: https://www.calgary.ca/cps/calgary-po...