They smashed in a rear window and backed a minivan up to load with $27,000 worth of high-end sunglasses, watches, and hiking clothing.
Then the thieves who broke into Atmosphere Sports on the Langley Bypass fled, but they didn't get very far.
Shortly after 10:00 p.m. on Sunday (March 6) someone heard the glass breaking and called police.
About the same time, the alarm company called.
Some officers spotted the van, but it managed to give them the slip.
It got as far as the Walnut Grove area when other officers stopped the vehicle and arrested the three occupants without incident.
Charges are pending against three male suspects, a 47-year-old from Surrey, a 27-year-old from Nanaimo and a 29-year-old of no fixed address.