Charges approved in "Sticky bandit like" break outs.

A Williams Lake woman has been charged with two break and enter offences committed at local retail businesses in Williams Lake between October 15th and October 17th.

On October 16, 2022 the Williams Lake RCMP received a report of a break and enter to a business on Prosperity Way. Employees arrived at the store that morning after receiving information of suspicious activity from a security guard overnight. Upon reviewing in-store video footage, it was determined a female had locked herself inside the business overnight on October 15th after the store closed. Once employees had departed, the suspect was observed on video stealing store merchandise, and subsequently leaving the store with the stolen items.

On October 17, 2022 the Williams Lake RCMP received a report of a shoplifter at a business on 1st Ave N. Store employees reported the suspect was currently in the store, and they recognized her from video surveillance as having committed a similar store break-out from the night before. Police attended and arrested took the woman into custody.

As it happened, while the woman was being arrested at the 1st Ave N business, a police officer was at the Prosperity Way business on another matter; employees of the two businesses were in contact with one another and shared that suspect description matched both incidents.

Further investigation by Williams Lake frontline members resulted in positively identifying the suspect from both offences of breaking out of the retail businesses. The suspect was held in custody and Crown Counsel has approved charges.

"We don't, outside of the popular Home Alone movies, see many incidents of an accused remaining in a store after closing, so it is a unique MO for both the police and the local business community to be aware of. In this case; quick information sharing between the businesses, and prompt reporting to police led to quick arrest. " (Cpl Brett Squire Williams Lake RCMP Media Relations Officer)

Jerrika Leigh HILL-JACKSON is currently charged with two counts of Breaking Out contrary to Section 348(1)( c ) of the Criminal Code, and two counts of Theft Under $5,000 contrary to Section 334(b) of the Criminal Code. HILL-JACKSON was released on conditions, and her next court appearance is scheduled for November 30, 2022 in Williams Lake Provincial Court.