Shoplifting suspect surprised by undercover cops

Police went undercover to arrest a man they say is a well-known shoplifter in Kelowna.

Members of the RCMP’s Community Safety Unit donned plain clothes on Nov. 15 in a local retail store that has been repeatedly stolen from in recent weeks.

Other officers were in contact with store employees when the suspect entered the store.

“This individual collected approximately $1,000 worth of items before proceeding past the checkout only to be met by police in plain clothes,” Cpl. Michael Gauthier said.

Police say Michael Alan Godson, 46, was taken into custody and will next be in court Nov. 23.

He is charged with theft and two counts of breach of a release order after allegedly breaching conditions not to be in that specific store and for being in possession of items from which he is prohibited to carry.

“It is very important that business owners communicate their concerns to us and help us help them,” Sgt. Scott Powrie, Operations NCO with the Community Safety Unit, said. “We are more than prepared to work with our local retail businesses to divert resources where necessary and taper these crimes. This is not the first time our officers have gone covert specifically targeting shoplifters and it certainly won’t be the last.”

RCMP have released Godson’s photo as they say he is believed to be associated to a number of other thefts in the Kelowna area. Should you have any information or wish to report a shoplifting incident, contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.