1,500 charges laid in GTA theft spree; Mississauga, Brampton residents among 16 charged

More than 1,500 charges have been laid against 16 people — including eight from Brampton and two from Mississauga — in connection with numerous large-scale retail thefts in York and across the Greater Toronto Area in which nearly $624,000 in goods was stolen.

During the rash of thefts, which took place between late 2023 and this past July, the culprits responsible for the crimes occasionally resorted “to threats of violence, either verbally or by brandishing a weapon if approached,” York Regional Police said in a news release on Friday.

Police said a total of 10 investigations, carried out under a larger operation dubbed Project Spartan, led to the 16 arrests and 1,538 charges (797 of which are for failing to comply with release order).

Investigators said all 16 people charged were out on release orders when they were arrested.

Officers with the York Regional Police Special Enforcement Team, in cooperation with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario Resource Protection Unit and the Home Depot Asset Protection Department, spearheaded the probe, which began last October.

“During these thefts, high-valued items were often stolen with the intent of being resold throughout the community. In some cases, (those responsible) would work in groups and walk into a store, stealing numerous items and walk out,” police said. “Occasionally, (they) would resort to threats of violence, either verbally or by brandishing a weapon if approached.”

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The total value of goods stolen is $623,852, police added.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to call police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7817, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.