Today, Chief Myron Demkiw, alongside Mayor Olivia Chow, Toronto Crime Stoppers Chair Sean Sportun, Toronto Police Service Board Councillor Shelley Carroll, and Superintendent Andrew Ecklund of 11 Division launched Crime Stoppers Month, announcing enhanced cash rewards for tips related to retail crime.

The media conference is available to watch on YouTube. 

Toronto Crime Stoppers will be activating enhanced cash rewards of up to $2,000 between today and February 6, 2026, for information leading to the resolution of retail crime occurrences as part of a Retail Crime Awareness Campaign.

“Toronto Crime Stoppers remains deeply committed to addressing criminal activity across the city and surrounding regions,” said Toronto Crime Stoppers Chair Sean Sportun. “As we enter 2026, our early focus will be bringing attention to retail crime through enhanced public awareness and offering enhanced cash rewards. This initiative demonstrates our ongoing innovation and belief that community safety is a shared responsibility, empowering residents to actively participate in building a stronger, safer Toronto.”

The financial impact of retail crime is significant, but also of concern is the safety threat to retail workers, customers, and the community, as the profits from these crimes often fund other, far more violent offences in our communities.

A surge in retail theft in 11 Division led to the launch of “Project Shelf Defence” – a division-wide, proactive, intelligence-led investigative initiative to reduce retail crime and improve community safety. The goal of Project Shelf Defence was to identify repeat offenders, retail theft trends, find links between theft investigations and put a stop to these offences.

Project Shelf Defence is just one of the initiatives Toronto Police has launched to combat retail theft across the city. Targeted teams in 23 and 43 Division have been established to specifically address retail theft and several divisions conducted targeted retail theft-related blitzes during the holiday season.    

While Project Shelf Defence has led to dozens of arrests for theft, Toronto Crime Stoppers is partnering with 11 Division to ask for the public’s help in locating three suspects and identifying and locating a fourth suspect who are alleged to be repeat offenders of retail crime.  

“We are committed to working with the private sector, including the Retail Council of Canada, local Business Improvement Areas and our partners at Crime Stoppers to combat retail theft,” said Chief Demkiw. “Toronto Crime Stoppers process dozens of tips from the public every single day – reminding us that a shared vision of community safety and well-being can be achieved when we work together and look out for one another.”

“Building a safe, affordable, and caring city means working together to prevent crime and protect our communities,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “Toronto Crime Stoppers strengthens community safety by giving people a trusted, anonymous way to speak up, protect workers and neighbours, and help keep Toronto safe.”

Warrants have been issued for the following suspects:

Ramla Shire, 36, of Toronto:

1. six counts of Theft Under $5,000
2. 12 counts of Fail to Comply with Probation 

Adam Paul, 46, of Toronto:

1. 10 counts of Theft Under $5,000
2. seven counts of Fail to Comply with Release Order

Flori Ciurar, 35, of Toronto:

1. two counts of Theft Under $5000
2. Theft Over $5000
3. two counts of Fail to Comply with Undertaking 
4. Fail to Comply with Release Order

Suspect to be identified:

1. two counts of Theft under $5,000 

Images of the suspects have been released.

Tips related to the identification and location of these individuals may be eligible for the enhanced cash reward of up to $2,000.

The Toronto Crime Stoppers Program was launched in 1984. Every time a tip is provided to Toronto Crime Stoppers, it gives the police one more opportunity to solve a crime, and it gives the community one more chance to achieve safety. Last year alone, Toronto Crime Stoppers reviewed over 29,000 anonymous tips.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.