Police arrest man after finding alleged ‘imitation firearm’ amid shoplifting report

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Fort St. John RCMP officers have arrested a man after an alleged shoplifting incident at a local grocery store.

According to a press release from the detachment, shortly before 4 p.m. on Monday, May 26th, officers received a report of a shoplifter who had stolen merchandise from the Safeway grocery store on 100th Street.

When they arrived, police say they found a person already in the custody of the store’s loss prevention officer. 

From there, RCMP officers say they allegedly found what they describe as an “imitation firearm.”

Dylan Serik was held for court on charges of theft under $5000, carrying a concealed weapon, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and two counts of failure to comply with a probation order.

“This is one of the big reasons the police prefer to have the public call police to deal with suspects, no one ever knows what you are going to run into during a file,” said Constable Chad Neustaeter. 

“Imitation firearms look just like the real thing and if it had been used, that would have quickly changed the dynamics of the situation.”

Serik remains in custody until his next court appearance on Thursday, May 29th.