Prince George RCMP landed a big one Monday when they were called to a report of a violent shoplifter.
Not only did they apprehend a man well known to the police and courts but uncovered a trove of stolen items linking him to a series of break and enters.
William Gerald McBride remains in custody on a dozen charges, including assault, after RCMP were called to Spruceland Mall at about 11:40 a.m., where an employee had reportedly been struck when he confronted a man suspected of shoplifting.
RCMP converged on the scene and, aided by a detailed description, had McBride in handcuffs within three minutes, according to a statement. And police said a subsequent search of McBride's coat and bas uncovered items recognized from recent break and enter reports.
They include laptops, surveying equipment, iPads, bankcards, webcams and small tools.
"Many items had the names of local businesses on them," RCMP said.
McBride has an lengthy record of criminal offences. Among them, he was sentenced in October 2017 to six months in jail for stealing a truck with a shotgun inside.
