Hanover Police Service say ‘professional shoplifter’ arrested

A Hanover Police Service's sign is seen in this undated photo. (File)

The Hanover Police Service is trying to determine if a person they arrested this week is related to a larger criminal group of “professional shoplifters.”

Officers were called to a theft in progress at a pharmacy on 10^th Street on Thursday around 2 p.m.

Investigators were told a male suspect was confronted by staff about not paying for items. The man immediately ran off and climbed into a vehicle parked across the street.

Police said the man raced past several vehicles and refused to stop when West Grey Police Service officers tried to pull him over. Officers decided not to chase after the vehicle for safety reasons.

However, the man later lost control and slid into a ditch near Allan Park in West Grey.

A 30-year-old man was arrested and custody was transferred over to the Hanover Police Service.

Officers said they found approximately $4,000 of stolen merchandise taken from the pharmacy in Hanover and at least one other location. They also seized an electronic device that is used to disable anti-theft alarms.

The 30-year-old suspect is from Romania, but is currently living in Richmond Hill. He has been charged with theft under $5,000, possession of stolen property and unlawful use of a computer.

Investigators are also trying to determine if he has ties to a larger Romanian crime group of professional shoplifters that is based in the Greater Toronto Area and has been targeting shops in other Ontario communities.