North Vancouver police say they prevented the theft of cheese worth nearly $13,000 from a grocery store earlier this year. They are now asking the public to help find the suspected thief.

The incident happened at the Whole Foods near East 13th Street and Lonsdale Avenue on Sept. 29, North Vancouver RCMP said in a news release Thursday.

That day, around 4 a.m., front-line officers were conducting “proactive patrols” in the area “when they came across a cart full of cheese,” police said.

“As the officers left on foot to investigate, a man appeared from a stairwell connected to Whole Foods and left quickly after seeing the officers,” the statement said.

“Officers attempted to arrest the man as they suspected the cheese had been stolen, but the suspect fled and could not be identified.”

Police continued their investigation and concluded that the suspect had broken into the grocery store and “was in the process of stealing the cheese when officers arrived.”

Whole Foods staff told investigators the estimated cost of the cheese was $12,800, according to RCMP.

“Unfortunately, the cheese could no longer be sold after leaving the refrigerator,” police said in the release.

The force presented the incident as an example of proactive patrols in “high crime areas” to prevent and deter crime.

“This is an example of intelligence-led policing using information provided directly by our crime analysts to respond to emerging crime trends in North Vancouver and beyond,” he said. said Const. Mansoor Sahak, in the press release.

“While this is excellent work by our officers, the investigation is not complete. We are releasing CCTV footage of the suspect in the hope that someone may recognize him and call the police.”

Police asked anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information about the crime to contact them at 604-985-1311 and quote case number 2024-19909. Tips can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers.