More than 1,500 charges have been laid against 16 individuals, including eight from Brampton and two from Mississauga, in connection with a series of large-scale retail thefts across York Region and the Greater Toronto Area. The thefts, which took place between late 2023 and July 2024, resulted in the theft of nearly $624,000 worth of goods.
York Regional Police announced the charges on Friday, revealing that the accused were involved in a crime spree where they sometimes resorted to threats of violence—either verbal or by brandishing weapons—when confronted. The charges stem from 10 separate investigations conducted as part of a larger initiative known as Project Spartan.
According to police, all 16 individuals were on release orders at the time of their arrests. A significant portion of the 1,538 charges—797 in total—are related to breaches of these release conditions.
The investigations were led by the York Regional Police Special Enforcement Team in collaboration with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario Resource Protection Unit and the Home Depot Asset Protection Department. The probe, which began in October 2023, focused on thefts involving high-value items, often stolen with the intention of resale within the community.
“Those involved would often work in groups, entering stores, stealing numerous items, and walking out,” police said in a statement. In some cases, threats of violence were used to intimidate store staff or other individuals.
The arrests mark a significant crackdown on retail theft in the region, with authorities committed to continuing their efforts to combat such crimes.