A man is facing multiple theft charges following an investigation into a series of incidents at hardware stores across Durham Region, police say.
According to the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS), the suspect attended Home Depot locations at 1700 Victoria Street East in Whitby and 120 Clarington Boulevard in Bowmanville between October and December 2025.
Police allege the suspect collected multiple packages of home insulation but scanned and paid for only some of the items before leaving the stores.
On Thursday, January 8, 2026, investigators from the DRPS East Division Criminal Investigation Branch arrested the suspect without incident.
Police identified the accused as Michael Francis Sprayson, 48, of Cobourg, who has been charged with nine counts of theft under $5,000.
He was later released on an undertaking.
Police Seeking Additional Information
Investigators are asking anyone with cellphone footage, dashcam video, surveillance recordings, or information related to the investigation to contact Detective Micallef of the East Division Criminal Investigations Branch at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 1615.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.
Police noted that the allegations have not been proven in court.
photo Credits : https://www.drps.ca/news/posts/male-arrested-after-theft-investigation/
