AIRDRIE (660 NEWS) — Airdrie RCMP finished up their holiday season by handing out some gifts to the “Grinches” of Christmas.
They weren’t your typical gifts though.
Some receiving court dates, other receiving fines, and almost certainly all receiving criminal records.
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The “gifts” follow an initiative the RCMP detachment in Airdrie executed called Project Grinch. A mission that looked to combat those who try and take advantage of the holiday season in a negative manner.
Due to an increase in theft during the holiday season, officers were deployed to businesses across the city to catch thieves in the act.
Officers worked closely with loss prevention officers, mall security and more to identify prolific offenders, shoplifters and suspicious people.
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Following the conclusion of the project:
- 49 weapons, theft and drug-related charges laid
- 90 warrants executed
- Over $3,000 worth of fines issued
- Over $18,000 worth of stolen property recovered
- Numerous weapons seized, including a machete, baton, a loaded SKS semi-automatic rifle with 8 rounds in the magazine, a loaded shotgun, and a loaded rifle
