Routine shoplifting call turns into cheesy operation

Cheese and chocolate police seized from a Woodbridge, Ont. man who allegedly stole mass quantities to then resell them. (South Simcoe Police)

A cheesy and chocolatey operation has resulted in 25 charges against a 60-year-old man from Woodbridge.

He is being accused of numerous thefts and then selling the stolen products, that allegedly included $1,500 worth of cheese and chocolate.

South Simcoe police were called to a retailer in Bradford on Saturday morning involving a man who reportedly shoplifted.

An officer on patrol found the suspect’s vehicle and pulled him over. That’s when police seized the mass quantities of chocolate and cheese along with other evidence to suggest this was part of something bigger, including the 2026 Honda CRV used to transport the products.

The officer arrested the man.

Investigators say they discovered later that the man was connected to numerous shoplifting incidents that spanned multiple cities in southern Ontario including from Hamilton to Cambridge, throughout the GTA and up to Barrie.

It turned out the accused was allegedly selling the stolen cheese and chocolate to several GTA businesses monthly.

Among the charges he faces are theft under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime and trafficking in property obtained by crime.

“Organized retail theft costs retailers millions of dollars each year in lost revenue,” said Staff Sergeant Dave Phillips. “Investigations like this send a clear message that organized retail crime will not be tolerated in our communities, and those responsible will be held accountable.”

The man was held for a bail hearing.