NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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Investigators with the York Regional Police #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau have arrested and charged six people in connection with 21 incidents of theft of merchandise worth more than $21,000 in York Region.
In November 2021, officers began an investigation following a series of reports connected to thefts from commercial hardware stores in and around York Region.
On Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, through investigation, officers identified four of the suspects and arrested them while they attempted to steal nearly $6,000 in smoke detectors from a store in the City of Barrie.
Upon their arrest, officers located cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.
On Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, a search warrant was executed on a residence in the City of Toronto, where two additional suspects were located and arrested.
A large number of stolen items were recovered, including a stolen U-Haul van with keys, power tools, Moen faucets and other household accessories, worth approximately $15,000.
Five grams of heroin and two grams of cocaine were also seized.
The six suspects have been connected to 21 incidents and investigators have laid 47 charges.
Investigators believe some of the stolen merchandise may be linked to other commercial store thefts in Peel Region, Halton Region, Durham Region and the City of Toronto.
The investigation remains ongoing. Police are seeking information from witnesses and encourage any other victims to come forward.
York Regional Police encourages business owners to take proactive steps to help keep their businesses safe.
Visit yrp.ca for crime prevention tips. Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext.7441, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
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