York Regional Police say they have seized $1 million in stolen clothing after investigating an alleged shoplifting ring targeting malls in the Greater Toronto Area.
In Oct. 2014, police say an investigation was launched into a theft from a clothing store in Markville Mall in Markham.
According to police, images of the suspects were obtained and police began to suspect that the same people were responsible for a number of thefts at several different clothing stores in the area.
On March 20, officers conducted surveillance on three of the suspects and watched them as they allegedly stole from stores at various Toronto-area malls.
“These individuals led investigators on a theft shopping spree which included stops at Maple View Mall in Burlington, Sherway Gardens in Toronto and Square One in Mississauga,” York Regional Police Det. Sgt. John Braybrook said at a news conference Tuesday morning.
Braybrook said when the suspects were arrested, officers discovered more than $5,000 worth of stolen clothing inside their vehicle.
Following the arrests, police say officers executed a search warrant at a residence in the area of Jane Street and Sheppard Avenue and discovered a “makeshift retail store” complete with clothing racks, sale tags and transaction records.
“All the bedrooms and closets in the residence were stocked full of stolen clothing to replenish their make-shift store,” Braybrook said.
“The main entrance to the residence was fortified with a homemade iron gate (and a) security system similar to those found in actual retail stores. The irony and hypocrisy of this setup was the illegal retail store had its own operating security cameras, monitoring for shoplifting.”
Police estimate that there are at least 35 retailers that were targeted in the thefts and investigators say the suspects did not trip security alarms because they lined their bags with a “metal-type material, similar to tinfoil.”
Toronto residents Thuy Nguyen, Thi Nguyen, Seng Pring, Tu Chau, and Trung Phuoc Dang are facing multiple charges in connection with this investigation including theft over $5,000, possession of stolen property over $5,000, trafficking in stolen goods, as well as possession for the purpose of trafficking stolen goods.
