Police arrest 16 people in large-scale retail thefts in Toronto area [Video]

Police have arrested 16 people who they allege stole more than $600,000 worth of “high-valued items” as part of a large-scale organized retail theft across the Greater Toronto Area.

York Regional Police announced Friday the result of its investigation into the thefts, which they dubbed Project Spartan. They said officers investigated suspects between Oct. 2023 and Jul. 2024.

In some instances, the suspects, working in groups, would walk into a store, allegedly steal numerous merchandise – most often those with high value – and walk out.

“Occasionally, suspects would resort to threats of violence, either verbally or by brandishing a weapon if approached,” police allege. They added that the suspects intended to resell the stolen items.

Police claimed the suspects were responsible for $623,852 in retail thefts.

As a result of several investigations, 16 people were apprehended, and police said that all were out on release orders during their arrests.

Investigators laid a total of 1,538 charges, more than half of …