Police have broken up a shoplifting ring operating in the Greater Toronto Area, seizing nearly $1 million worth of stolen clothing in the process.
The months-long investigation began following a theft from a clothing store in the Markville Mall in Markham, police said at a news conference on Tuesday.
When York Regional Police officers began to investigate the October 2014 theft, they uncovered a pattern of thefts involving similar suspects at retail stores across the Toronto area.
The thefts were reported between October 2014 and February 2015, York Regional Police Det. John Braybrook said Tuesday.
Officers identified a female suspect after watching surveillance video.
Police placed the suspect and a second woman believed to be involved under surveillance on Thursday, March 19. The pair was seen picking up a third woman in Hamilton, before leading investigators on a "theft shopping spree," Braybrook said.
Police said the women made several stops, including Mapleview Mall in Burlington, Sherway Gardens in Toronto and Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga.
"At the end of their shopping day, so to speak, the three individuals were arrested for the theft and possession of stolen property over $5,000," Braybrook said.
At the time of arrest, police found approximately $7,500 worth of high-end stolen goods, he said.
Following their arrest, a search warrant was executed at a semi-detached home in Toronto, and police seized more stolen clothing and approximately $14,000 in cash.
A man and a woman were found in the residence, and both were arrested at the time.
Police have not provided the exact address, but said that the home was operating as an unlicensed 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 makeshift store," Braybrook told media.
"The irony and hypocrisy of the set up was the illegal retail store had its own operating security cameras monitoring for shoplifting. Go figure."
Police said that the investigation is ongoing. It is estimated that at least 35 retailers were affected by the shoplifting ring, but investigators are still locating other potential victims.
Thuy Nguyen, 48, Seng Pring, 41, Thi Nguyen, 34, Trung Phuoc Dang, 55, and Tu Chao, 44, all from Toronto, face a total of 19 charges.
The charges include theft over $5,000, possession of stolen property over $5,000, trafficking in stolen goods and possession for the purpose of trafficking stolen goods.
