Durham Regional Police say a focused retail theft enforcement initiative carried out over more than a month has led to dozens of arrests and charges across the region, including multiple cases involving LCBO stores.
Between November 10 and December 16, investigators arrested 64 individuals and laid a total of 155 charges as part of a Safe Shop Initiative aimed at addressing retail theft. Of those arrests, 17 were directly related to thefts at LCBO locations, resulting in 32 charges.
Police noted that 38 of the charges laid during the operation were related to breach offences, such as failing to comply with court orders or probation conditions.
The initiative was led by the East Division Community Response Unit (CRU), with support from front-line officers. Investigators also worked closely with the LCBO Resource Protection Unit to identify retail locations experiencing high levels of theft across Durham Region.
Officers maintained a highly visible presence at targeted locations throughout the initiative, with the goal of deterring criminal activity while improving safety and security for retail staff and the public.
Police said the operation was made possible through funding provided by the Community Safety and Policing Grant.
Photo Credits : Durham Post
