Some of the stolen goods recovered by police is shown. Jewelry, clothes and other items were taken during a break-in at a store at Square One in Mississauga. One man is charged. (Photo: Peel Regional Police)
A man from Mississauga has been charged after nearly $1 million worth of jewelry, clothing, and other items were stolen in an overnight break-in earlier this year at a high-end department store in Square One Shopping Centre.
Peel Regional Police announced that most of the stolen items taken from Holt Renfrew during the bold theft have been retrieved.
During a press conference on Friday at Square One, which is the largest shopping mall in Ontario and second-largest in Canada, police reported that officers responded to the burglary around 1 a. m. on April 30.
Investigators revealed that a masked suspect “used tools to gain entry” into the store and stole “high-value jewelry and clothing from multiple displays.”
The thief then fled on foot before taking an unattended vehicle that had been left running nearby, police stated, noting that patrol officers found the car the following day.
A follow-up investigation by Peel police’s Break-and-Enter Auto and Retail organized crime unit, known as BEAR unit, involved “extensive video canvassing” which led to identifying a suspect, police said on Friday.
A search warrant was executed at a residence in Mississauga where authorities recovered “a significant quantity of stolen property.”
Amir Nikbakht, 41, from Mississauga, faces charges for:
Break, enter and commit an indictable offence Possession of break-in instruments Disguise with intent Theft of motor vehicle Weapons dangerous Fail to comply Breach of probation
He remains in custody while awaiting a bail hearing.
The investigation by police is still ongoing as they work to identify more victims and related thefts.
Deputy Chief Marc Andrews from Peel police stated on Friday that such retail thefts are “not petty crime” and have “become endemic in our community.”
Evidently, while retail theft has remained steady in Peel over the past year, arrests and charges have risen by over 30 percent according to police reports.
This change reflects how Peel police are adapting their strategies against these crimes as mentioned in their news release following Friday’s press conference held downtown Mississauga.
The investigators are employing “strategic, intelligence-led enforcement efforts,” including the newer BEAR squad aimed at disrupting organized retail theft networks operating throughout the area,” explained law enforcement officials.
The BEAR unit was formed in September 2025
This specialized team aims to tackle break-ins and auto thefts specifically within Mississauga and Brampton. It comprises plainclothes officers who focus on combating organized property crimes.
The squad is part of an initiative designed to enhance law enforcement efforts while improving victim support and proactively disrupting criminal operations affecting communities across Peel,” said authorities previously.
The formation of this BEAR unit came about due to rising trends involving calculated crimes like burglaries and auto thefts noted by local law enforcement earlier this year.
Since its inception, BEAR organized crime squad has made 93 arrests resulting in 577 charges according to Peel police records.
An additional note from Andrews indicated that the BEAR unit represents how law enforcement listens closely and adjusts their responses based on emerging crime trends.”
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