Six coffee machines were stolen from three different Nanaimo-area Starbucks locations on Friday, highlighting how thefts increase as the holidays draw near.
The thefts happened at the Terminal Park, University Mall and Country Club locations and in two of the cases a man was seen picking up the machines and walking out with them.
RCMP Media spokesman Gary O'Brien said that he estimates the items were likely sold on the street at a reduced value for drug money.
Incidents of shoplifting and theft begin to increase following Thanksgiving and go up from there, said O'Brien, who actively works with stores on their theft-prevention strategies.
He spoke with Starbucks management on Monday and said that they will be using a demo model for public display from now on.
Theft risks to the public are also on the rise at this time of year, said O'Brien.
Starbucks representatives were unavailable for comment on the thefts.
"There's a lot of pressure," said O'Brien about people's increased financial strain during the holidays.
"People involved in criminal activity also want to provide for their families."
There's "absolutely" more theft at this time of year, said Dave Paulgaard, who provides security services for the Country Club and Woodgrove shopping centres.
He said they encourage people to notify store managers or mall security if they see a person shoplifting, because for any charges to be laid, there has to be eyewitnesses.
"If they're noted shoplifters, I just go shopping with them," he said with a chuckle.
The items in the Starbucks locations were on public display. This is a factor both store theft and in theft of personal items, which also increase at this time of year, said O'Brien
"You get a lot of theft from parking lots because people are just flocking to the malls," said O'Brien.
It's "very common" for thieves work the parking lots by sitting in their cars and watching people entering and exiting stores.
Items commonly stolen from cars are purses and more expensive "high-ticket" items, said O'Brien.
Advice from the RCMP to shoppers is to hide items in the car and make sure the trunk latch is securely locked.
No arrests have been made in the coffee-machine thefts and each incident remains under investigation.
GE Appliances is investing $60 million in new high-efficiency washing machine facility and product, creating 150 new jobs and supporting about 40 domestic suppliers.
The popularity of the high efficiency washing technology has driven more innovation and investment in top load washing machine category.
"There is 150 people on this line that wouldn't have had a job if this product didn't come to GE," said Anitra Wiggins.
The new machine uses an impeller instead of an agitator which allows then to use less water and energy than a traditional washer.
For many of the employees at Appliance Park, the new washing machine means job security.
"Anything coming back to Louisville coming back to appliance park means jobs means jobs for the city," said GE employee Nathan Hall.
Production on the new washer began six weeks ago and they started shipping them out last week. The jobs surrounding the new product have already been filled.
Production also began this year on a new hybrid water heater facility, with plans to upgrade all product lines and facilities including the bottom freezer refrigerator and front load washing machines.
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