Kingston shoplifter arrested two days in a row

A local individual was arrested and charged with shoplifting in downtown Kingston after being released from custody the same day, according to Kingston Police.

At approximately 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024, Kingston Police responded to a call regarding a theft which had just taken place at a business on Princess Street.

“Arriving at this location, police learned that the accused had entered the business and immediately proceeded to begin loading merchandise into shopping bags that they had in their possession. The accused then left the business without making any attempts to pay for the selected, and now concealed, merchandise. The total value of this theft was approximately $3,600,” police said in a media release dated Friday, Apr. 19, 2024.

“Police were quickly able to locate and identify the accused walking just west of the business on Princess Street. At approximately 4:50 p.m. the accused was arrested and found to be still in possession of the stolen merchandise.”

According to the release, officers further learned that the accused had just been released from custody on conditions after entering into a release order that same day. This individual’s prior arrest stemmed from a separate incident of shoplifting that had occurred on Wednesday, Apr. 17, 2024, at a business located in midtown Kingston, police detailed.

The accused was subsequently transported to police headquarters where they were held to attend a bail hearing the following day.

A 32-year-old local individual was charged with theft under $5,000 and breach of probation.

Kingstonist inquired with Kingston Police about the prevalence of recidivism in the area and the impacts of it on their work. While Kingston Police were not able to immediately provide response or interview availability, they have indicated that they will work with Kingstonist to arrange for such an opportunity in the near future. Kingstonist will continue to follow up on that topic, as recidivism has been increasingly documented locally — including the arrest of a person who allegedly attempted to smuggle contraband onto federal prison property on Sunday, Mar. 31, 2024, who had previously been arrested for the same offences in February 2024, and Police Chief Scott Fraser discussing the issue at the most recent meeting of the Kingston Police Services Board (KPSB).

With files from Tori Stafford.