Nearly $1 million in stolen goods has been recovered after a suspect allegedly broke into a Holt Renfrew at a Mississauga, Ont., mall and took a significant amount of “high-end” items, Peel Regional Police say.
Speaking at a news conference at Square One Shopping Centre on Friday morning, police said the investigation began in April.
Det. Joseph Cardi said officers were notified of a break-in at the luxury department store at Square One in the early morning hours of April 30.
“Our investigation determined that the suspect gained access and forced entry into a retail store, stealing a large quantity of high-end merchandise,” Cardi told reporters on Friday morning.
The suspect then fled the area after stealing an unoccupied vehicle that had been left running nearby. The vehicle was located by patrol officers the next day, police said.
After an “extensive” canvas for video surveillance footage, officers were able to identify a suspect, Cardi said.
A search warrant was executed at the suspect’s home and officers recovered nearly $1 million worth of jewelry, lottery tickets, and other goods.
The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Mississauga resident Amir Nikbakht, was arrested and charged in connection with the “large-scale retail theft probe.”
He faces multiple charges, including disguise with intent, theft of a motor-vehicle, and breach of probation.
‘Highly mobile and organized’
Deputy Chief Marc Andrews said organized retail theft has become “endemic in our communities.”
He noted that Peel police have been making a concerted effort to curb this type of crime with the launch of the 11 Division Break and Enter Auto and Retail Organized Crime Unit, also known as BEAR, last September.
He added that while the number of thefts has remained constant over the past 12 months, arrests and charges have increased by 30 per cent.
“Organized retail crime is not low-level theft,” he said.
Rui Rodrigues, of Retail Council of Canada, said retail theft has become “increasingly violent” across Canada.
“Highly mobile and organized groups (are) targeting multiple jurisdictions, taking advantage of the lack of our organization. Stolen goods that are being funneled into illicit marketplaces,” Rodrigues said.
“This is not a retail issue. It is a public safety issue.”
