A man walked into an East Vancouver retail store yesterday evening and picked up packages of face masks. Loss prevention officers saw him allegedly conceal the masks and attempt to walk out of the store.

When they confronted the thief, he reportedly cut each of them on the hand with a sharp weapon, and then fled.

A few hours later, a VPD special municipal constable spotted the suspect. He was arrested for theft, and assault with a weapon, and taken to jail.

Fortunately, the two loss prevention officers’ injuries were minor and did not require hospital treatment.