Report Retail Thieves Anonymously
To combat organized retail theft, Toronto Crime Stoppers is launching a new awareness and enhanced cash reward of up to $500 a tip for information leading to the apprehension of individuals.
“We are confident that through the enhanced reward and continued efforts by our policing and retail partners, we will be able to put a stop to this large-scale retail theft and illegal distribution happening across the city,” said Deputy Chief Rob Johnson at a media conference March 7. “Every year, Toronto Crime Stoppers processes thousands of anonymous tips about various types of crime. The information received from the tips helps our investigators make arrests, lay charges and, in some cases, reduce victimization and acts of crime within our communities.”
Tips received between today and June 6 will be eligible for the enhanced reward.
Crime Stoppers Chair Sean Sportun said the focus of the new ItCostsUsAll.com campaign is to create more awareness in the community about the growing issue of retail theft.
“We are also reminding offenders that as a community, we are taking action in addition to providing citizens in our city with a conduit to relay anonymous information of those involved in this type of crime to police by contacting Crime Stoppers,” he said, of the campaign that will be featured on billboards and social media. “This latest initiative has been strategically designed to capture the public’s attention and demonstrate the reality of the issue while highlighting the safety risks posed to our community.”
Sportun said organized retail theft continues to evolve as a lucrative and criminal enterprise.
“It presents a significant threat to the safety of employees and the overall community,” he noted. “What has become increasingly clear is this is no longer just shoplifting. It is a highly organized operation with offenders specifically targeting retailers and executing sophisticated plans to steal merchandise.
“Beyond the financial impact, the violence associated with these crimes is deeply concerning. These offenders are not afraid to introduce violence against innocent employees or customers who get in their way. Recent brazen daylight jewelry store smash and grab-style thefts are a clear example of this escalating level of violence.”
Last year, Toronto Police Service launched a Retail Crime Unit, operating out of 23 Division.
Detective Sergeant Brent Swackhamer heads the unit that comprises four officers.
“This unit will help us focus on repeat offenders who are clearly causing a significant strain on both law enforcement and businesses,” he said.
In the last 95 days, 425 reports were filed at the Division for $190,876 in stolen goods.
A total of 45 arrests have been made, 477 charges laid and $8,343 in stolen goods recovered.
Police are still searching for 17 suspects.
“This is just about three months of dedicated work,” Swackhamer said. “These offenders target multiple outlets, including large chains like LCBO, Costco, Walmart and Home Depot among others. While some of the people involved in these thefts are doing it for personal gain, there are others that are stealing product to sell to illegal distributors.”
He said his unit has met with store managers and loss prevention officials to build strong relationships and share intelligence.
“Retailers now have a direct link to law enforcement to report incidents and seek advice on crime prevention,” added Swackhamer. “The Retail Crime Unit also works in partnership with private security that works with larger retailers like the LCBO. This collaboration allows for more effective crime prevention.”
Crime Stoppers takes information 24 hours, seven days a week. Calls are not recorded and Crime Stoppers does not have call display, guaranteeing that your identity remains anonymous.
To report a crime to Toronto Crime Stoppers, call 416-222-8477 (TIPS).
