Kitsilano merchants join forces to foil fast-working thief

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According to the Vancouver Province, the Kitsilano 4th Avenue Business Association is warning local merchants about a wily shoplifter who is working West 4th.

“He is fast and he works immediately,” says Kent McKenzie, who owns the Does Your Mother Know magazine store that has operated in Kits for more than 11 years.

“I think he waits for the cashier to be busy.”

McKenzie said that the scammer moves quickly into the store and shoplifts an item. Then, when the cashier is busy, he approaches and spins a yarn about how his wife bought the object and she has the receipt and she is in Kelowna, then says he doesn’t want the object and asks for a refund.

“And he always offers to give his phone number,” said McKenzie.

After being alerted by a member, the Kitsilano 4th Avenue Business Association sent out an email telling businesses about the scam and offering thm the attached photo.

Last modified: June 9, 2010

5 Responses to " Kitsilano merchants join forces to foil fast-working thief "

  1. Erik says:

    That photo has been making the rounds for a while. I remember it being up at Aquaventures almost 2 years ago when he was apparently raiding the change rooms there.

  2. Anonymous says:

    He has been spotted on Granville Island a couple of timed and this photo has been passed around. Apparently he changes his appearance quite often.

  3. Pat says:

    This guy was on Granville Island 2 weeks ago down the lane of my shop and tried to scam Justin Stitches across from me..he had a hoodie on that day and jeans…very thin man and was well groomed his hair is grey still..he knows that the island merchants are on to him!

  4. Boot Girl says:

    He also says he’s going to call his wife to see what she wants to do when you refuse to return the item(s). He asks if he can use your phone. When she doesn’t answer he still proceeds to talk as though she’s on the other end- meanwhile you can hear the line still ringing and a voice mail greeting message. If you haven’t seen him before his “look” is very un-suspecting.

  5. Kristy says:

    He has also been know to name drop staff members names. He will tell you that that staff member authorized the return without a receipt when they talked to his wife a few days ago. Don’t believe it.