Police have charged a loss prevention officer with extortion after he allegedly placed stolen items into a customer’s shopping bag without the customer’s knowledge, accused him of stealing and then threatened to call police unless the customer paid him money.
Toronto Police say the customer was shopping at a store near Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue East on June 9 when the incident occurred.
Police say that after the customer had paid for his selected items and exited the store, a loss prevention officer, hired to observe and control merchandise entering and exiting retail stores, approached the man and told him he was being placed under arrest for shoplifting.
Police say the suspect demanded money from the customer in order to keep quiet and threatened to call the police if his demands were not met.
Investigators say the victim was released after giving the suspect a quantity of cash.
Police have charged Azeem Khan, 20, with one count of extortion. He appeared in a Toronto court on Thursday morning.
Investigators say there may be more victims and are asking anyone with information to contact police at 416-808-5300 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
