Calgary man charged in $72,000 theft from CrossIron Mills shoe store
Police allege a current employee stole merchandise and cash from Famous Footwear over several months.
CALGARY · A Calgary man is facing multiple criminal charges after police allege he stole more than $70,000 in cash and merchandise from a store at CrossIron Mills mall. James Arthur Lush, 47, was arrested on Nov. 6 following an investigation by Airdrie RCMP. He is charged with two counts of theft over $5,000, break and enter to a business, and possession of property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking. Lush was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie on Dec. 3.
Police began investigating on Oct. 28 after the Famous Footwear store in Rocky View County reported significant inventory and cash shortages. An internal review by the company allegedly found that a current employee had been stealing cash deposits and merchandise from the store since April. The audit revealed approximately $50,000 worth of merchandise and $22,000 in cash was missing.
How was the suspect arrested?
On Nov. 6, the Airdrie Crime Reduction Unit and the Airdrie General Investigation Section executed a search warrant at a home in northwest Calgary. Officers arrested Lush at the residence. During the search, investigators recovered nearly $17,000 worth of the stolen merchandise. The Airdrie Integrated Rural RCMP had received the initial report of the theft at Famous Footwear. The arrest was made by specialized units within the Airdrie detachment.
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What charges does the accused face?
James Arthur Lush faces four criminal charges. He is charged with two separate counts of theft over $5,000. He is also charged with break and enter to a business and possession of property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking. The charges stem from the alleged theft of about $72,000 in total from the Famous Footwear store. Police said the internal asset and revenue investigator discovered the employee had been stealing cash deposits and merchandise.
When is the court date?
Lush is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Dec. 3. The hearing will be held at the Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie. He was released from custody following his arrest on Nov. 6. The Airdrie RCMP said the suspect was arrested at a northwest Calgary home.
What was the result of the police search?
During the execution of the search warrant on Nov. 6, police recovered about $17,000 worth of the stolen merchandise. The search was conducted at a northwest Calgary home where the suspect was arrested. The Airdrie Crime Reduction Unit and the Airdrie General Investigation Section carried out the operation. The recovered items were part of the approximately $50,000 in merchandise allegedly taken from the store.
The internal audit by Famous Footwear found the employee had been stealing since April. The store reported the theft to police on Oct. 28 after discovering significant shortages. The investigation is being handled by the Airdrie Integrated Rural RCMP. Lush is a current employee of the store, according to the police allegations.
With files from CityNews, Calgary Herald and Yahoo News