During a month-long operation, law enforcement arrested nearly 80 repeat offenders linked to retail crime at major shopping malls in Mississauga and Brampton.
Peel Regional Police reported that officers made 95 arrests, took 77 repeat offenders into custody, and recovered over $82,000 worth of stolen items during a December enforcement push that focused on thefts at Square One Shopping Centre, Erin Mills Town Centre, and Creekside Crossing in Mississauga, as well as Bramalea City Centre and Orion Business Park in Brampton.
According to police, the campaign from December 1 to 31 yielded “significant results,” which also included the apprehension of nine violent offenders. In total, authorities noted that there were 248 charges filed due to this month-long initiative.
“We remain committed to reducing retail crime and keeping businesses and communities safe,” police stated Tuesday in an online summary of their anti-crime efforts.
(Source: Peel Regional Police)
While violent home invasions, break-ins, and car thefts/carjackings have been more common in recent years in both Mississauga and Brampton, Peel police have also dedicated time and resources to address the rising number of retail thefts throughout the area.
<p Many of these thefts-especially those targeting jewelry stores-have also involved violence, according to police reports.
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In March 2024, an uptick in crime at Square One Shopping Centre led to more police officers and security personnel being deployed at the large mall as part of a concerted effort to curb violence and robberies.
An early 2024 rise in “smash-and-grab” jewelry store heists across the Greater Toronto Area included a January 17 robbery at Square One.
Four masked individuals armed with hammers entered a jewelry store on that day, smashing display cases and seizing jewelry pieces. They quickly escaped with an undisclosed amount of stolen items.
Peel police remarked that fortunately none of the store employees were harmed during this incident.
This robbery-and several similar violent incidents-prompted Square One along with various retailers to enhance security measures by hiring both paid-duty Peel police officers and private security guards around that time, officials from both organizations told INsauga. com in early 2024.
“Smash-and-grab” jewelry store robberies like this one from two years ago in Brampton caught on video have raised concerns for Square One and other GTA shopping centers. (Image: Peel Regional Police video)
With an area of 2.2 million square feet housing over 360 stores, Square One stands as Ontario’s largest shopping center and Canada’s second-largest. It draws about 24 million visitors each year.
However, like many large shopping malls, it also attracts individuals looking to commit crimes-ranging from shoplifting or swarming unsuspecting customers for their shoes to more serious offenses such as “smash-and-grab” robberies or armed heists.
A proactive measure taken by management at Square One together with Peel police occurred in December 2023 when they launched a two-week enforcement blitz aimed at holiday season shoplifters.
This involved deploying extra officers who patrolled alongside holiday shoppers while actively monitoring for offenders.
The initiative resulted in making 60 arrests related to shoplifting or other offenses while recovering over $43,000 worth of stolen property.
Last 30 Days: 83,144 Votes
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In March 2024, an uptick in crime at Square One Shopping Centre led to more police officers and security personnel being deployed at the large mall as part of a concerted effort to curb violence and robberies.
An early 2024 rise in “smash-and-grab” jewelry store heists across the Greater Toronto Area included a January 17 robbery at Square One.
Four masked individuals armed with hammers entered a jewelry store on that day, smashing display cases and seizing jewelry pieces. They quickly escaped with an undisclosed amount of stolen items.
Peel police remarked that fortunately none of the store employees were harmed during this incident.
This robbery-and several similar violent incidents-prompted Square One along with various retailers to enhance security measures by hiring both paid-duty Peel police officers and private security guards around that time, officials from both organizations told INsauga. com in early 2024.
“Smash-and-grab” jewelry store robberies like this one from two years ago in Brampton caught on video have raised concerns for Square One and other GTA shopping centers. (Image: Peel Regional Police video)
With an area of 2.2 million square feet housing over 360 stores, Square One stands as Ontario’s largest shopping center and Canada’s second-largest. It draws about 24 million visitors each year.
However, like many large shopping malls, it also attracts individuals looking to commit crimes-ranging from shoplifting or swarming unsuspecting customers for their shoes to more serious offenses such as “smash-and-grab” robberies or armed heists.
A proactive measure taken by management at Square One together with Peel police occurred in December 2023 when they launched a two-week enforcement blitz aimed at holiday season shoplifters.
This involved deploying extra officers who patrolled alongside holiday shoppers while actively monitoring for offenders.
The initiative resulted in making 60 arrests related to shoplifting or other offenses while recovering over $43,000 worth of stolen property.
Last 30 Days: 83,144 Votes
All Time: 1,216,542 Votes
981 VOTES
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