A Brampton man has been charged following a theft attempt and knife threat incident at a Shoppers Drug Mart in Pickering on Wednesday afternoon.
According to Durham Regional Police, the incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. when a 28-year-old man from Brampton entered the Shoppers Drug Mart location. When store staff confronted the suspect about suspected shoplifting, he fled the store.
Mall security guards attempted to follow the suspect, at which point the man threatened them with a large knife. The suspect was subsequently located by police officers and placed under arrest.
The Brampton man faces multiple charges including two counts each of theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, as well as charges for possessing a weapon dangerous to the public peace and breaching probation conditions.
Durham Regional Police have not released the suspect’s name or additional details about the specific items allegedly stolen from the Shoppers Drug Mart. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with police reviewing surveillance footage and gathering statements from store staff and mall security personnel.
Police are reminding retail employees to follow established safety protocols when confronting suspected shoplifters, which include maintaining a safe distance and immediately contacting mall security or police rather than attempting to apprehend suspects themselves.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Durham Regional Police or provide tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers. The police continue to encourage the public to report any suspicious activity in retail locations to help prevent similar incidents from occurring.
The Shoppers Drug Mart location resumed normal operations after the incident was resolved and the suspect was taken into custody. Store management has thanked mall security and Durham Regional Police for their quick response to the situation.
