Employee accused of stealing $250K in aerospace equipment in Oakville

Police recovered $250,000 worth of aerospace equipment while executing a search warrant. (Halton Regional Police)

An employee has been arrested after police say hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of specialized equipment was stolen from an aerospace company in Oakville.

In a news release Thursday, Halton Regional Police said they began an investigation in early June after the company reported the theft of specialized millwright and aerospace equipment and tools.

During the investigation, police identified the suspect as an employee of the business who allegedly posted the stolen goods for sale on social media.

On June 30, police executed a search warrant at a home in Brantford and arrested the suspect. During the seizure, police recovered $250,000 worth of equipment, along with $150,000 in Canadian cash. Police say they also seized several high-value designer watches and sunglasses.

Abhishek Kumar Patel, 30, of Brantford, was charged with numerous offences, including theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 for the purpose of trafficking.

The charges have not been tested in court.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact police.