Region of Peel – Investigators with Peel Regional Police’s 12 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau have arrested dozens of prolific offenders and laid more than 500 charges in an ongoing retail theft investigation targeting businesses across Brampton and Mississauga.
“Project Filcher is another step towards making our communities safer by responding to the organized theft enterprises impacting businesses in the City of Brampton. Organized retail theft threatens the livelihoods of businesses in our city, and undermines the sense of safety that our businesses and residents deserve to feel. By supporting projects like this, we give police the tools and resources they need to disrupt and dismantle organized crime and make our communities safer.”
– Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor Wards 1 & 5, Chair, Community Services, Vice-Chair, Economic Development, City of Brampton
Video: Footage of prolific offenders, courtesy of Peel Regional Police. For a full list of arrests and associated charges, please see the charge sheet at this end of the article.
Between February and April, Project Filcher focused on retailers experiencing a significant surge in thefts, including Nike, LCBO, Winners and Walmart. Combined, more than 350 theft incidents resulted in over a quarter-million dollars in stolen merchandise.
Through a coordinated, intelligence-led investigation, officers identified and located repeat offenders believed to be responsible for a substantial number of these incidents. As a result, Project Filcher led to 65 arrests and the laying of 545 charges related to retail theft offences.
Project Filcher was supported through the Community Safety and Policing Grant, provided by the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General.
The investigation remains ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact investigators with the 12 Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905‑453‑2121, ext. 1233. Anonymous tips can also be provided through Peel Crime Stoppers at 1‑800‑222‑TIPS (8477) or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.
Quick Facts
- 65 arrests and 545 criminal charges, with more arrests and charges anticipated
- Over a quarter-million dollars in stolen merchandise
- More than 350 retail theft incidents between February and April
- Retail theft charges laid between January and March rose from 522 in 2024 and 1076 in 2025 to 1,300 in 2026, an increase of 149 per cent
- Retail arrests made between January and March rose from 223 in 2024. and 560 in 2025 to 752 in 2026, an increase of 237 per cent.
Additional Quotes
“Project Filcher demonstrates our unwavering commitment to holding offenders accountable and protecting businesses in our community. Organized retail theft is not a victimless crime because it drives up costs, impacts livelihoods and undermines public safety. Through proactive, intelligence-led policing and strong partnerships with retailers, our officers have disrupted criminal activity and made our communities safer.”
— Deputy Chief Marc Andrews, Peel Regional Police
“Organized retail theft threatens the safety of workers, businesses and communities, which is why our government is proud to support investigations like Project Filcher through the Community Safety and Policing Grant. This operation is another example of our plan to protect Ontario by giving police the tools and resources they need to crack down on repeat offenders, hold criminals accountable and keep communities safe.”
— Michael S. Kerzner, Solicitor General of Ontario
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