Hamilton police charge 21 suspects in organized retail theft worth ‘more than $1 million’

Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews speaks to CP24’s Steve Ryan about their bust of a large-scale retail theft operation.

Hamilton police say 21 people are facing charges following an investigation into an organized network accused of stealing millions of dollars worth of goods from Shoppers Drug Mart locations across Ontario and Quebec.

The investigation, dubbed “Project Sommes,” was launched in August 2025 after what police describe as a “growing trend of organized retail thefts across the province and nationwide.”

It involved Hamilton Police Service working alongside police services in Peel, Waterloo and York regions, as well as the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario.

Investigators say the group is responsible for hundreds of thefts dating back to February 2024, resulting in millions of dollars in losses to retailers.

“Today I’m pleased to announce we have charged 21 individuals believed to be responsible for a large-scale and coordinated series of retail thefts across Ontario and Quebec,” Hamilton police Deputy Chief Ryan Diodati said.

“These offenses account for hundreds of incidents and have resulted in millions of dollars in losses to local businesses. This investigation has been both complex and far reaching.”

Hamilton police say the stolen merchandise was trafficked throughout Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, with goods allegedly sold to a man in Mississauga who then distributed them to AG Liquidation, a large commercial liquidation warehouse in Brampton, as well as other wholesalers.

It should be noted that no criminal charges have been laid in connection with AG Liquidation.

Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Mark Andrews said Peel Region played a central role in the alleged operation.

“This was not a small operation. It was a sophisticated distribution network, and Peel Region served as a major hub of its activities,” Andrews said.

Earlier this month, police executed 16 search warrants on three commercial properties, six residences and seven vehicles.

Investigators seized a significant quantity of stolen merchandise, with preliminary estimates valuing the items at “more than $1 million,” along with six vehicles.

Police also confirmed two suspects were arrested in Vancouver with the assistance of the Vancouver Police Department after allegedly engaging in a retail theft spree targeting Shoppers Drug Mart locations in the Vancouver area. The suspects are expected to be transported back to Hamilton.

Diodati said the investigation highlights the importance of cross-jurisdictional policing.

“Crime knows no borders, and neither does our collective commitment to stopping it,” he said.

Hamilton police say the majority of those charged were already subject to release orders or had outstanding warrants at the time of their arrest.

• A full list of those charged can be found here.

Officials say the investigation remains ongoing, with police working alongside the Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact the Hamilton Police Intelligence Unit.