$500,000 worth of designer clothing seized in takedown of shoplifting ring
June 18, 2024
The SPVM seized clothing and accessories worth nearly half a million dollars last Thursday following an investigation targeting a network specializing in shoplifting. Three individuals suspected of belonging to this group using sophisticated means were arrested during the operation.
A structured network
The suspects arrested are two women and a man aged 36, 39 and 49 respectively. They would have been responsible for selling the merchandise stolen by accomplices in various businesses in the greater metropolitan area. These were mainly items from sought-after brands.
The thieves associated with the suspects allegedly used various specialized tools to disable the anti-theft devices protecting the targeted items. This would allow them to sneak out of stores without setting off an alarm. The three suspects arrested then allegedly resold the stolen items from a café and a food market located in the borough of Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie. Their clientele was made up only of people they knew.
After collecting various pieces of evidence, the Eastern Regional Investigation Section carried out an operation on June 13 to dismantle the network. In addition to the two businesses serving as places of resale, a residence located in Montréal-Nord and another in the Côte-des-Neiges sector were searched. During these operations, the investigation team recovered numerous stolen items estimated at approximately $500,000.
Numerous prepaid gift cards of a still unknown value and an amount of $15,000 in cash were also seized.
The investigation continues
The three individuals arrested were released pending the conclusion of the investigation. The Eastern Regional Investigation Section continues its investigative work on this network, which also allegedly carried out its criminal activities outside the Montreal region.
Anyone with information about him is asked to contact 911 or their neighborhood post. It is also possible to communicate anonymously and confidentially with Info-Crime Montréal at 514 393-1133 or via the reporting form available on the site infocrimemontreal.ca.
The SPVM would like to remind you that purchasing stolen equipment with full knowledge of the facts is illegal. Persons who knowingly acquire stolen items are committing an offense that may lead to criminal charges being filed.
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