Two people have been arrested and a variety of stolen items recovered after police executed a search warrant at a business in the Burnside Gorge neighbourhood Thursday morning.
At approximately 8 a.m., Vic-PD Strike Force officers executed a search warrant at a business location in the 400-block of Gorge Road East. Police believe the business was involved in the buying and re-selling of stolen property.
Police say this is known as a "fencing operation", in which the business acts a fence, or middleman, that takes in stolen property from thieves and re-sells it for profit. The existence of a "fencing operation" serves as a marketplace for stolen property to be bought and re-sold.
The Burnside Gorge neighbourhood has seen an increase in property crime over recent weeks. Strike Force, along with other VicPD resources, have been tasked with targeting this issue. By focusing on the business, Strike Force effectively disrupted a marketplace for stolen goods within the neighbourhood.
Strike Force officers searched the business and seized a number of stolen items. The recovered stolen property included alcohol, perfume, electronics, coffee and other items.
The man and woman arrested in connection with the operation were associated to the business.
Gurjit Purewal, a 50-year-old Victoria man, faces charges of trafficking in stolen property, possession of stolen property, and laundering the proceeds of crime.
Manjeet Purewal, a 41-year-old Victoria woman, faces charges of trafficking in stolen property, possession of stolen property, and laundering the proceeds of crime.