Retail theft cases in Mississauga and Brampton are already matching last year’s total, with authorities alerting the public that organized groups are increasingly involved in these crimes.
Peel Regional Police reported 2,241 retail theft-related charges in the first eight months of 2026, just 69 fewer than the 2,310 charges filed throughout all of 2025.
Deputy Chief Marc Andrews shared these statistics on Tuesday (Oct. 6) during a two-day conference held by Peel Police in Mississauga that focused on organized retail crime.
With four months left in the year, this trend indicates Peel is likely to exceed last year’s total significantly. If current rates persist through the end of the year, estimates suggest charges could surpass 3,300.
However, Andrews emphasized that these figures reflect more than just an uptick in random shoplifting incidents.
“What we have seen across Peel and across Ontario is something far more coordinated, sophisticated, sinister and far-reaching,” he said.
Andrews mentioned that what were initially thought to be unrelated crimes often turn out to be linked to repeat offenders and criminal organizations.
“What looked like individual crimes were often part of a larger organized operation extending beyond a single community or jurisdiction,” he said.
The conference taking place on Oct. 6 and 7 brings together law enforcement agencies, leaders from the retail industry, and public safety partners from across Ontario to explore methods for disrupting these networks.
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Peel Police have already established a specialized unit aimed at addressing these issues.
The Break and Enter, Auto and Retail Theft (BEAR) unit was introduced as a pilot program in Mississauga back in September 2025. It initially concentrated on break-and-enters along with auto thefts.
Lately, investigators uncovered links between those offenses and organized retail theft. This led Peel Police to officially broaden the unit’s focus this past May.
Since springtime started, the BEAR unit has made 53 arrests and laid down 263 charges while recovering over $1 million worth of stolen property related to retail theft incidents according to police reports.
Andrews noted that these outcomes have encouraged Peel Police to extend this unit’s reach across the region in 2027.
This expansion will implement the BEAR model into every division within Mississauga and Brampton so officers can concentrate their efforts on investigating organized property crime as well as retail theft.
“Organized retail crime requires dedicated resources, intelligence-led investigations, and relentless focus on identifying and disrupting criminal networks that are responsible,” Andrews stated.
The police force is also collaborating with the Retail Council of Canada for targeted operations aimed at retailers along with sharing valuable intelligence information.
This partnership through RCC’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force has resulted so far this year in arresting 63 individuals while laying down158 charges along with recovering over $29,000 worth of stolen goods according to Peel Police records.
Andrews explained they’re aiming not just at responding to isolated thefts but rather at pinpointing the networks behind them instead.
“Through stronger partnerships, stronger intelligence sharing, and stronger coordination, we’re building a model that not only responds to crime but disrupts the networks behind it,” he remarked.
The comments from Andrews coincided with Ontario also working towards reforms designed specifically for tackling organized theft issues head-on.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner participated Tuesday’s event highlighting Bill 119 known as the Protecting Ontario Streets and Communities Act.
If passed into law; this proposed bill aims to create specialized prosecution teams focused solely on major theft cases which would prioritize serious offenses while providing prompt investigative support along with guidance for police departments involved in such matters p>.
An increasing problem like this carries implications beyond just financial losses suffered by businesses themselves according to Andrews’ assessment. p>.
He pointed out how it directly affects not only workers within stores , but also owners & customers alike posing safety risks altogether.
“Ultimately , this work isn’t about merchandise ; it revolves around people.”said Andews.
The ongoing conference wraps up Wednesday where local law enforcement officials , retail sector representatives & government stakeholders exchange strategies aimed toward preventing future occurrences plus enhancing cooperative efforts across different jurisdictions respectively.
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