64 arrested, 155 charges laid during retail theft crackdown in Durham Region

The Durham Regional Police East Division building is shown in Bowmanville, Ont. on Saturday March 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Doug Ives

Durham police say 64 people arrested and 155 charges were laid following a month-long retail theft investigation across the region.

Investigators say the Safe Shop initiative ran between Nov. 10 and Dec. 16, 2025, led by the East Division Community Response Unit, with support from front-line officers and the LCBO Resource Protection Unit.

Police say officers focused on high-theft retail locations, maintaining a visible presence aimed at deterring criminal activity and improving public safety.

Of the arrests made, police say 17 were linked to LCBO thefts, resulting in 32 charges, while 38 of the total charges laid were “breach related offences.”

Durham police say the initiative was made possible through funding from the Community Safety and Policing Grant.