Montreal police (SPVM) say officers have dismantled two locations used as fences to sell stolen tools on online classified platforms and arrested multiple suspects. Police searched a Kirkland residence and vehicle on July 22 and in April, raided a house in Laval and two apartments in Montreal’s Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough. In total, they seized nearly $800,000 worth of new tools from home improvement and hardware stores in the Greater Montreal area. “Although the two dismantled criminal networks were separate, their modus operandi was similar: thieves would enter large retail stores in groups during business hours to commit shoplifting,” said SPVM Commander Éric Lafontaine. “They would flee without paying. The stolen merchandise was then hidden inside residences before being resold online via classified ad platforms.” Kirkland raid Investigators recovered around $300,000 worth of tools and $160,000 in cash and other evidence in the Montreal West Island suburb. A 44-year-old was interviewed and a judge froze his bank accounts and $1.2 million residence along with two vehicles on Aug. 26. The file has been transferred to Crown prosecutors. Laval and Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension On April 1 and 2, around half a million dollars worth of tools and $325,000 in cash and evidence was seized in the raids. A judge froze the $500,000 Laval residence and Jaspreet Singh Nagra, 33, Ajit Singh Dablehar, 37, and Baljinder Singh, 37 were arrested. They appeared in court in April and are facing multiple theft and other charges. A fourth suspect was arrested and released on a promise to appear in court. Tips to avoid buying stolen merchandise The SPVM is urging those shopping for goods to be cautious using online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace. “Behind every instance of shoplifting lies a cost not only for the targeted retailers but also for all consumers, as product prices eventually rise to compensate. It is therefore important to collectively combat this type of crime,” said Lafontaine. Police say to watch out for new items listed below market value, and that consumers risk purchasing goods of uncertain origin linked to criminal activities. The SPVM advises using secure exchange zones, found on the map below.
