On October 23, an unidentified man attempted to steal from a jewellery display at a Costco location in Nanaimo. While the suspect fled without any merchandise after triggering an alarm, the Nanaimo RCMP are now using CCTV footage to identify the individual.
A blue plaid jacket and a failed heist at Island Highway North
The incident occurred just before 1 p.m. on Friday, October 23, at the Costco store situated on Island Highway North. According to the Nanaimo RCMP, surveillance video shows a man leaning over a fine jewellery glass case and attempting to pry it open with a tool. The attempt was cut short when the store's alarm system was triggered, causing the suspect to flee the scene empty-handed.
Police have described the suspect as a white male between 50 and 60 years old with a slim build. At the time of the attempt, the individual was wearing a striped shirt, black pants, dark footwear, and a distinctive blue plaid jacket. The Nanaimo RCMP have relased a grainy image of the man via their official website and provincial police Twitter feed to solicit public leads.
Real-time police streams and Costco's upgraded alarm system
In the wake of the attempt, the Costco security team and the Nanaimo RCMP have implemented a new monitoring protocol to prevent future breaches. As the report says, this partnership includes the installation of a more sophisticated alarm system and the creation of a separate monitoring stream that allows police officers to view store activity in real time.
This technological shift is designed to move the store from a reactive security posture to a proactive one. By granting the Nanaimo RCMP direct visual access, the store aims to ensure a more rapid response to suspicious behavior before a crime is successfully completed. This integrated approach is being supplemented by community-led efforts, including a "Neighbourhood Watch" app for local residents to report suspicious activity.
The "test-run" strategy appearing across Canadian cities
While no items were stolen during this specific event, the Nanaimo RCMP are treating the incident as a high priority. The investigation reflects a worrying trend observed in various Canadian cities, where criminals conduct low-risk "test-run" break-ins to probe security vulnerabilities before attempting a larger, more coordinated theft.
This pattern suggests that the suspect may have been gauging the response time of Costco security and the sensitivity of the alarm systems. By treating a failed attempt as a precursor to a more serious crime, the Nanaimo RCMP are attempting to disrupt the cycle of retail theft that has plagued high-value displays in urban centers across the country.
Case No. 2026-35444 and the search for earlier links
The investigation, filed under Case No. 2026-35444, is currently focused on whether the suspect is a repeat offender. Insp. donovan Tait, an operations officer with the Nanaimo RCMP, stated that investigators are examining the man's possible involvement in previous incidents in the region, noting that catching repeat jewellery thieves has historically been difficult.
Several questions remain regarding the suspect's identity and motives. It is currently unknown what specific tool was used to attempt the pry-open, and the RCMP have not yet confirmed if the suspect acted alone or had a lookout outside the Island Highway North location.. residents with information are urged to contact the non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 to help the Nanaimo RCMP close the knowledge gap left by the suspect's escape.
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