NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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Twenty-three people have been arrested and more than 80 charges have laid in a six-month investigation into thefts involving six Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) stores in the City of Vaughan.
In March 2019, officers with the #4 District Community Oriented Response (COR) Unit began an initiative that included proactive policing efforts to address the issue of thefts from LCBO stores in the City of Vaughan. These efforts included plainclothes and uniform presence, responding to calls for service and conducting detailed follow-up investigations.
As a result of this initiative, officers arrested 23 people and laid a total of 86 charges. Many of these investigations resulted in additional charges for other offences such as Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Breach of Recognizance and Possession of Weapons. During the course of the six-month investigation, a total of 170 thefts were reported from the six LCBO locations in Vaughan, with a theft value of just under $60,000.
“We will continue to work closely with our local businesses to prevent criminal acts and to bring those responsible for committing these and other crimes before our courts. With this initiative our officers truly are making a difference in our community,” said York Regional Police #4 District Superintendent Graham Beverly.
“As customer and employee safety is the LCBO’s top priority, we are grateful for the continued collaboration of all our local police forces in helping us prevent and investigate theft when it occurs and are especially appreciative for the tremendous work done by the officers with the #4 District COR unit in consultation with LCBO employees on this extensive investigation and subsequent arrests,” said George Soleas, President & Chief Executive Officer, LCBO.
Officers continue to work closely with LCBO staff to prevent thefts and other criminal acts and to identify the individuals responsible for these incidents. Excellent quality video surveillance greatly aids in identifying these suspects. While LCBO employees are trained not to physically intervene in a theft, as this can put customers and employees at risk, they contact police once a theft has occurred, allowing York Regional Police to respond to and thoroughly investigate these incidents.
Anyone with information relating to thefts from LCBO stores is asked to contact the #4 District COR Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7428, or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or online at www.1800222tips.com
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