On Monday, April 8, 2013, 41 Division concluded a two-month-long investigation into an alleged organized retail theft ring with the arrest of four people and the execution of multiple search warrants. One suspect is outstanding.
It is alleged that:
- the people operated in groups of two to four, targeting display cases at a variety of retail outlets including electronics and jewellery stores
- one person would distract store employees while the remaining people opened locked display cases with a key to remove items
It is further alleged that:
- the suspects are responsible for nine thefts in Toronto
- there are links to thefts in York, Peel, and Halton Regions, Hamilton, Ottawa, as well as Alberta and British Columbia
The TPS has partnered with numerous police services in this Canada-wide investigation.
The identified thefts within Toronto are valued at $45,000. It is further alleged that search warrants resulted in the seizure of additional property valued at an estimated $50,000. Efforts continue to identify the rightful owners of the recovered property.
Paul Dixon, 49, of Toronto, is charged with:
1) seven counts of Theft - over ($5,000)
2) 12 counts of Theft - under ($5,000)
3) Possession of property obtained by crime - over
4) Possession of property obtained by crime - under
Chrystal Shamachuk, 28, of Toronto, is charged with:
1) three counts of Theft - over ($5,000)
2) three counts of Theft - under ($5,000)
3) Possession of property obtained by crime - over
Leah Sinclair, 42, of Toronto, is charged with:
1) three counts of Theft - over ($5,000)
2) six counts of Theft - under ($5,000)
3) Possession of property obtained by crime - over
4) Possession of property obtained by crime - under
All three appeared in court at College Park , on Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at 10 a.m., in courtroom 507.
These three also have a transient history with identified links to communities from coast to coast.
Jowanna Dixon, 49, of Toronto, was charged with
1) Possession of property obtained by crime - over
She was released on an appearance notice which requires a court appearance at a future date.
A fourth person, Tyrone Stewart, 35, of Toronto, is still outstanding.
Police believe there may be more victims.
Members of the retail community are encouraged to review the photographs and to call police to report similar events that may be linked to this group. Please note that Chrystal Shamachuk has allegedly committed offences with and without a hijab.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-4100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.
It is alleged that:
- the people operated in groups of two to four, targeting display cases at a variety of retail outlets including electronics and jewellery stores
- one person would distract store employees while the remaining people opened locked display cases with a key to remove items
It is further alleged that:
- the suspects are responsible for nine thefts in Toronto
- there are links to thefts in York, Peel, and Halton Regions, Hamilton, Ottawa, as well as Alberta and British Columbia
The TPS has partnered with numerous police services in this Canada-wide investigation.
The identified thefts within Toronto are valued at $45,000. It is further alleged that search warrants resulted in the seizure of additional property valued at an estimated $50,000. Efforts continue to identify the rightful owners of the recovered property.
Paul Dixon, 49, of Toronto, is charged with:
1) seven counts of Theft - over ($5,000)
2) 12 counts of Theft - under ($5,000)
3) Possession of property obtained by crime - over
4) Possession of property obtained by crime - under
Chrystal Shamachuk, 28, of Toronto, is charged with:
1) three counts of Theft - over ($5,000)
2) three counts of Theft - under ($5,000)
3) Possession of property obtained by crime - over
Leah Sinclair, 42, of Toronto, is charged with:
1) three counts of Theft - over ($5,000)
2) six counts of Theft - under ($5,000)
3) Possession of property obtained by crime - over
4) Possession of property obtained by crime - under
All three appeared in court at College Park , on Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at 10 a.m., in courtroom 507.
These three also have a transient history with identified links to communities from coast to coast.
Jowanna Dixon, 49, of Toronto, was charged with
1) Possession of property obtained by crime - over
She was released on an appearance notice which requires a court appearance at a future date.
A fourth person, Tyrone Stewart, 35, of Toronto, is still outstanding.
Police believe there may be more victims.
Members of the retail community are encouraged to review the photographs and to call police to report similar events that may be linked to this group. Please note that Chrystal Shamachuk has allegedly committed offences with and without a hijab.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-4100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.