RCMP make 3rd arrest over Vancouver airport luggage thefts

RCMP in Richmond, B.C., say several charges have now been laid against a Vancouver woman following her arrest in connection withthe theftof luggage at theVancouver International Airport this summer.

Miriam Tremblay, 26, was arrested on Aug. 2and now faces sevencounts of theft under$5,000, according to an RCMPrelease Wednesday.

The charges relate to thefts between July 12and Aug. 2 at the domestic terminal building, police said.

This is not the first arrest, nor are these the first thefts.

RCMP saidthe forcereceived 139 reports of stolen luggage at the airport between June 2018 andJuly 2019. The theftsmayhave taken place at either the domestic or international terminal.

OnApril 17, a 60-year-old woman, a foreign national namedMiriam Fajardo, was arrested in connection with luggage thefts.

Fajardo was charged with several counts including obstructing a police officer, possession ofidentity documentsto commit an indictable offence, and several counts of theft under $5,000.

Richmond RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Dennis Hwang said the two suspects and their alleged thefts are unrelated.

In late July, police arrested a male suspect by identifying him from surveillance video of an earlier theft. Officers took him into custody whenhe returned to the airport.

Tremblayis due in provincial court in Richmond on Wednesdayto face the sevencharges.