Alleged Serial Shoplifter Arrested in Fort McMurray Following String of Incidents

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — A 31-year-old Fort McMurray man is in custody facing multiple charges after a series of shoplifting incidents around the city.

The string of alleged crimes began on the evening of Jan. 6, when RCMP responded to a shoplifting report at Sephora in the Peter Pond Mall. According to police, a man stole an undisclosed number of fragrances and fled after an altercation with staff.

Later that same day, officers received another complaint of shoplifting at the Shoppers Drug Mart in the Stone Creek neighborhood. The suspect reportedly stole more items but evaded police.

In the following days, the same suspect allegedly targeted the Shoppers Drug Mart in Stone Creek multiple times. On Jan. 9, the situation escalated when RCMP responded to a report of an armed robbery at the location. Police say the suspect threatened staff while attempting to steal fragrances, but no injuries were reported.

The suspect was spotted again at Shoppers Drug Mart on Jan. 14, but fled the store before police could intervene.

Police finally nabbed the suspect on Jan. 16, when staff at Shoppers Drug Mart recognized the man and called the RCMP. Officers arrested the suspect following another altercation with staff. Nobody was injured during the confrontation.

Liban Hersi, a 31-year-old resident of Fort McMurray, has been charged with robbery, three counts of theft under $5,000, and mischief under $5,000.

Hersi remains in custody pending a judicial release hearing.