Halton Regional Police, in a joint operation with the LCBO’s Resource Protection Unit, have arrested four suspects believed to be responsible for over $85,000 in liquor thefts from LCBO stores across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Police say the group operated in a highly organized fashion, targeting multiple retail locations over several months. Investigators allege the suspects carried out a total of 54 thefts since May 2025 at LCBO outlets, as well as other major retailers including hardware, dollar, grocery, and thrift stores.
On October 1, officers arrested four individuals in Oakville, seizing a vehicle and recovering illicit drugs, including cocaine, MDMA, and Hydromorphone, during the search.
The accused have been identified as Christopher Noel, 39, Crystal King, 40, Philip Young, 48, and Marc Martiniello, 33, all residents of Mississauga. They face a total of 24 combined charges. Police noted that all four suspects were already under various release orders related to previous theft charges at the time of their arrest. One of the accused was bound by eight separate release orders.
Halton Regional Police emphasized that organized retail theft is not a victimless crime, warning that such activity impacts consumers through increased prices and creates safety risks for both retail employees and shoppers.
“The rise in organized retail crime continues to pose risks to both retail workers and customers,” the police statement said.
The charges have not yet been tested in court.
Police continue to work with the LCBO and other retail partners to combat the rise of organized theft operations across Ontario. Investigators are urging anyone with information about retail theft networks to contact local police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.