Ontario man caught with $1.5K in cheese, chocolate ran retail theft ring: police - BERITAJA

An Ontario man arrested for shoplifting complete the play is being accused of moving a retail theft ringing that supplied businesses pinch specialty food products monthly.

South Simcoe constabulary said that connected May 9, officers were called to a shop successful Bradford, Ont., for reports of a theft.

After locating the fishy vehicle, which they pulled over, officers discovered much than $1,500 worthy of stolen food and cocoa products, “along pinch further grounds connected to organized unit theft activity,” constabulary said successful a Facebook station Tuesday. Police seized a 2026 Honda CRV.

The driver, who was the sole caretaker of the vehicle, was arrested.

“Through further investigation, constabulary linked the accused to galore unit theft incidents stretching from Hamilton to Cambridge, passim the Greater Toronto Area, and northbound to Barrie,” constabulary said.

“The accused allegedly operated a business that sold stolen products arsenic morganatic merchandise, supplying respective GTA businesses pinch ample quantities of specialty food products connected a monthly basis.”

A 60-year-old man from Woodbridge, Ont., is facing 25 criminal charges, including theft nether $5,000, possession of spot obtained by crime, trafficking spot obtained by crime and possession of spot obtained by crime for the intent of trafficking.

“Retail theft has a nonstop effect connected businesses, employees, and the broader community. We proceed to activity intimately pinch nonaccomplishment prevention specialists to enactment up of emerging unit theft trends, and done these partnerships, our officers were capable to quickly place what appeared to beryllium a larger organized cognition extending beyond our communities,” Staff Sgt. Dave Phillips said successful the post.

“Organized unit theft costs retailers millions of dollars each twelvemonth successful mislaid revenue. Investigations for illustration this nonstop a clear connection that organized unit crime will not beryllium tolerated successful our communities, and those responsible will beryllium held accountable.”

Police added that the investigation remains ongoing and much charges are expected.