By Staff
March 22, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Dating back to October 2017, a group of four individuals have been targeting various retail stores in Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton and the surrounding area. These individuals would enter the store and select various items that typically consisted of small appliances, perfumes and clothing. They would then run out of the store past the employees without paying for the merchandise. In some cases, multiple offenders would work in teams to distract the employees or act as the lookout in the parking lot.
Investigators from the Burlington Street Crime Unit have worked with area Loss Prevention Officers and were able to identify one of the suspects. Through further police investigation, the other three male suspects were positively identified along with two residences where stolen property was being stored.
On March 20th 2018, the investigation into this organized group concluded with the arrests of four males and the execution of three search warrants. Search warrants were executed at residences in Mount Hope and Stoney Creek. A third search warrant was executed on a vehicle. As a result, police seized a significant quantity of property, valued at over $17,000 that is believed to have been stolen during retail thefts. Police have also seized a 2009 Hyundai Elantra as offence related property.
Property the police have valued at over $17,000 which they believe was stolen during retail thefts.
The following individuals were arrested and charged:
Angelo GRACI (56 years) of Mount Hope
• Theft under $5000 (12 counts)
• Trafficking in stolen property (two counts)
• Participating in a criminal organization
• Possession of stolen property for the purpose of trafficking over $5000
Miklos SZEDLAR (26 years) of Stoney Creek
• Theft under $5000 (16 counts)
• Trafficking in stolen property
• Participating in a criminal organization
• Possession of property obtained by crime
Angelo MILLER (26 years) of Mount Hope
• Theft under $5000 (11 counts)
• Trafficking in stolen property (two counts)
• Participating in a criminal organization
• Possession of property obtained by crime
• Fail to comply with probation (7 counts)
• Fail to comply with recognizance
Blue LUCAS (29 years) of Hamilton
• Theft under $5000 (nine counts)
• Trafficking in stolen property (two counts)
• Participating in a criminal organization
• Possession of property obtained by crime
• Fail to comply with recognizance
Anyone who may have additional information can contact Halton Regional Police Service Detective Dwayne Perron at 905-825-4747 ext 2342. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stopper’s “See Something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stopper’s “at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
