Clarenville RCMP seek suspect in Sobeys grocery theft

Community Safety Alert for Clarenville and Area

Clarenville RCMP are investigating a theft from a local grocery store and are asking the public to help identify a suspect captured on store surveillance. The incident occurred at a Sobeys location on Manitoba Drive in Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador in mid-April 2026.

Just before 2:00 p.m. on April 16, 2026, a man entered the store, loaded a shopping cart with groceries, and left the premises without paying. Investigators are now releasing an image from video surveillance showing the individual they believe is responsible and are appealing to anyone who recognizes him to come forward.

Official RCMP Incident Details

According to information released by Clarenville RCMP, the incident unfolded as follows:

• On April 16, 2026, shortly before 2:00 p.m., a man entered Sobeys on Manitoba Drive in Clarenville.
• The individual filled a shopping cart with various grocery items.
• He then exited the store without paying for the merchandise.
• The event was recorded on the store’s video surveillance system.

Suspect Description & Surveillance Image

The person shown in the surveillance footage is described as:

• Believed to be male
• Wearing an orange reflective jumpsuit or coveralls
• Wearing a white hat

RCMP have released a still image from the surveillance video to assist with identification:

This man was seen on video surveillance entering Sobeys on Manitoba Drive in Clarenville prior to the reported theft.

Crime Canada Community: Your Information Can Help

CrimeCanada.ca is calling on residents of Clarenville and surrounding communities to review the suspect description and image carefully. Even a small detail—such as recognizing the clothing from a workplace, or knowing someone who matches the build and regularly wears similar orange reflective coveralls—could assist investigators.

If you live, work, or shop in the area, or track local trends through resources like the Clarenville crime statistics and safety data profile, your knowledge of the community may help identify this individual and prevent similar incidents.

How to Contact RCMP or Crime Stoppers

Anyone who recognizes the person in the image or has information about this theft is urged to contact police directly. Please use the following official contact options:

• Call Clarenville RCMP at 709-466-3211
• To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers:
  • Phone: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
  • Online: www.nlcrimestoppers.com
  • Mobile: Use the P3Tips app

If you have information, do not share it on social media; provide it directly to RCMP or Crime Stoppers so investigators can follow up appropriately.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From a CrimeCanada.ca standpoint, thefts from grocery stores affect more than just businesses—they can lead to increased costs for shoppers and may be tied to broader patterns of property crime in the area. While this incident does not indicate an immediate threat to personal safety, reporting such activity helps police identify repeat offenders, understand local crime patterns, and better allocate patrols and prevention efforts in Newfoundland and Labrador communities.

Residents can support a safer environment by staying alert in busy retail locations, watching for unusual behaviour (such as people concealing items or bypassing payment points), and reporting concerns to store staff or police when it is safe to do so. When authorities release images or descriptions, as in this case, timely tips from the public are often crucial to resolving investigations.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the newfoundland-and-labrador community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.