Hanover’s police chief claims theft suspect has ties to international crime ring

Photo of a theft suspect provided by the Hanover Police Service.

The Hanover Police Service is asking for the public’s help to identify a suspect.

In a social media post, Police Chief Christopher Knoll shared the photo of a man who he said was responsible for a Jan. 11 theft at an unnamed pharmacy. The total loss was pegged at more than $3,000.

“He is responsible for similar thefts in Mount Forest and Listowel the same day,” Knoll wrote on Jan. 14.

In a second message, posted the following day, he provided an update on the police investigation.

“HPS investigators continue to sift through police reports from across Ontario, review surveillance videos, query databases, collaborate with other police investigators, along with corporate security specialists to identify this suspect,” Knoll wrote. “It is believed he is part of a theft ring with ties to Romania, based in the [Greater Toronto Area], responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars of thefts from retail stores across Ontario.”

Knoll did not explain how police were able to link the man to the alleged crime ring.

“It’s likely just a matter of time before he is properly identified, arrest warrants issued and he’s returned to Hanover in police custody,” the police chief ended his post.

Anyone who can identify the man is asked to contact the Hanover Police Service or Crime Stoppers.