Over 30 arrested in Hamilton Home Depot theft probe

Police have arrested over 30 people on 235 criminal charges after an investigation into organized thefts at Home Depot stores in the Hamilton area.

Hamilton police say the ‘Project Checkout‘ investigation began after a 25 per cent increase in thefts at a number of the hardware stores was noticed.

The probe, which lasted four months, revealed an organized group stealing high-value tools and construction equipment and reselling the items online.

Detectives say in several instances employees were threatened with violence when they attempted to intervene.

READ MORE: Alleged child sex offender hearing set to take place in St. Catharines

More than $300,000 worth of suspected stolen property and a pickup truck valued at $100,000 were recovered at a commercial property and residence.

Hamilton police worked closely with Home Depot’s Asset Protection Team and said their “ongoing partnership and information sharing were instrumental in the success of the investigation.”

Anyone with information about organized retail theft or the trafficking of stolen property is asked to contact Det. Const. Max Lamont at 905-546-2917 or mlamont@hamiltonpolice.ca.

To provide information anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers of Hamilton online or at 1-800-222-8477.