Shoplifter walks out with $3,000 worth of merchandise from Halifax shop

A shoplifter walked out with $3,000 worth of merchandise from Vintage Mansion in Halifax.

A vintage clothing store in downtown Halifax was the target of an unusual theft this week.

Security video taken on Monday shows a woman walk into the Vintage Mansion on South Park Street, go upstairs and put on as many items as she can before she leaves.

Some of the targeted items include a Chicago Bulls jacket, an Ader puffer, an Alpha Industries jacket and a Patagonia jacket.

“So far what we’ve tallied is about $3,000 in merchandise, but we’re still waiting on some of our other vendors to get back to us on their prices,” says Davide Gillis, security and social media manager for the store.

Gillis says the suspect also took a hat and sweatpants, and a signed Mario Lemieux Team Canada jersey.

He figures the final sum of the losses will be closer to $4,000.

At one point the suspect looks into one of the many security cameras and sticks her out her tongue.

“Maybe about once every month or so you’ll get somebody who is presently just stuffing a bag but there’s not a whole lot you can do, you’re not really supposed to be chasing anybody,” Gillis says.

The business rents out space to several local vendors to sell their merchandise on consignment. It’s a tough time of year for them to lose a significant amount of money.

“They have their own spaces, they curate their own clothes, they buy them. They put hours into making sure they’re clean so they can sell them,” Gillis says.

Laura McNutt, owner of downtown shop KingsPIER Vintage says theft is so rampant, she’s had to work it into her business plan.

“I’ve got twice as much staff as I need, and that staff is strictly to preserve our merchandise,” McNutt says. “Much of it has to do with how I have my product, my merchandising. Making sure all the valuable pieces are absolutely at eyeline of one of our staff at all times and that they are, the ones that are very expensive are out of reach.”

The alleged thief at Vintage Mansion left her boots behind after changing into a pair of Air Jordans before walking out with them.

Gillis says a report has been filed and he expects someone from Halifax Regional Police to visit the store Wednesday evening.

He says he’s hopeful some of the merchandise can be recovered.

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