Toronto Police have announced a significant break in the case of LCBO thefts across the GTA.
In a release, investigators say two Toronto men - Dennis James, 25, and Nathaniel Snowden, 31 - were arrested back on January 16 after officers responded to a theft call from an LCBO on Wilson Ave. in North York.
Both men face multiple charges but could end up facing more, as police say a subsequent investigation has revealed that up to 50 theft incidents can be linked back to these two men.
Police spokesperson Katrina Arrogante told NEWSTALK1010 that there was a lag between the arrests and when the investigation was made public because many details had to be carefully confirmed before they could be released.
"This is a large scale investigation that the Toronto Police [32 Division and] numerous other divisions are involved with, hence the date of the news release," She said. "It is believed that these two men are associated with up to 50 separate incidents [connected] to the LCBO thefts."
"With regards to the arrests on the 16th, it was 32 Division that responded and arrested the two males."
Police say James and Snowden were trying to get away following the incident at 675 Wilson Ave. when police caught up with a getaway vehicle operated and occupied by the two men.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and a brief foot pursuit followed before they were able to arrest the two men.
Charges laid include both theft over and under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, dangerous driving, fail to remain and fail to comply with probation.
The men appeared in court on January 17.
It was late in 2018 when a Toronto Star investigation revealed approximately 9,000 thefts at LCBO stores across the city over the past five years, with store staff being told not to intervene when a robbery occurs.
OPSEU President Warren “Smokey” Thomas - the union representing LCBO workers - said at the time that he was very concerned about the situation and would be speaking to Premier Doug Ford about the issue.