Portage la Prairie store owner frustrated by chronic shoplifting

A business owner in Portage la Prairie is sharing a video of a theft to shine a light on the issue of rural crime in the city. Jeff Keele reports.

A Portage la Prairie store owner is sharing video to highlight the retail theft problem, which she said is a growing concern.

The security footage shows a woman taking clothing, trying to put it in a bag, and then taking off without paying, said 3’s Company Boutique owner Janna Braaksma.

“It was 40 seconds. From the second the first door opened until the second that she walked out,” said Braaksma. “It was $450 worth of product in the 40 seconds.”

Braaksma alleges the person has stolen from them many times and there are others just like her. She said chronic shoplifters are caught, released and back stealing again.

“We have multiple different videos of theft.”

She’s sharing this one video online to make the point that this is a daily occurrence for many small businesses, impacting the bottom line and their staff.

“It’s an awful feeling as an owner.”

She’s calling for tougher bail measures.

Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said they are keeping a closer watch on chronic offenders with electronic monitoring and provincial prosecutors now have to consider the impact bail can have on the community.

“Now it’s really up to the federal government to take that step and strengthen those criminal code measures to ensure that people are being held to account,” said Wiebe.

The federal justice minister’s office said the law says people who are a risk to public safety or a flight risk should not be given bail. It goes on to say the federal government is committed to cracking down on repeat violent offenders by making bail laws stricter for organized and violent crime, home invasion, vehicle theft and human trafficking.

But Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox said bail laws need to be changed, not just for violent offenders, but also for those who continually commit nonviolent acts like theft.

“We need more rehabilitation. We need these small, petty things to be dealt with because that’s what’s affecting the heart of our community,” said Knox.

RCMP said a 45-year-old woman was arrested and remains in custody until a July 18 court date.

Court records show charges from June 17 of theft under $5,000 and on June 18 for possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, a weapons offence and possession for a dangerous purpose.

None of the allegations have been tested in court.