3 people facing charges after $75,000 worth of merchandise stolen from Rideau Centre stores: police

Ottawa police have charged three individuals in connection to $75,000 of stolen merchandise from the Rideau Centre. CTV’s Kimberley Fowler reports.

Three people are facing charges after $75,000 worth of merchandise was stolen from stores at the Rideau Centre in Ottawa over a six month period.

The Ottawa Police Service said officers launched “Operation Robin Hood” in response to a surge in thefts at several retail stores within the mall near the ByWard Market.

“As a result of this coordinated effort, three individuals have been charged with multiple counts of theft and breach-related offences,” police said in a media release.

Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs says retail theft is on the rise in big cities across the country, including in Ottawa.

“It’s something around the city that we’ve heard a lot of complaints about from a lot of the bigger stores, some of the small businesses that are independent,” Stubbs said in a media availability ahead of the Ottawa Police Service Board on Monday afternoon.

“So, we want to do what we can to look at those people that are prolific retail theft perpetrators and that project definitely focused on some folks that were committing a lot of theft.”

According to Stubbs, the police have numerous other projects underway aimed at making the downtown core safer.

“They focused on those individuals and got them charged, got them arrested,” he said.

“Really pleased with the results and we will move on to others and continue, hopefully, with this trend.”

Police say investigators estimate that the three people facing charges were responsible for approximately $75,000 in stolen merchandise over six months.

“This operation demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative policing and the importance of strong partnerships with local stakeholders,” police said.

“The OPS remains committed to ensuring safety and security within our communities.”

No other information was released.