54 thefts, $85,000 in liquor stolen; Mississauga crime ring busted

A crime network that allegedly stole $85,000 worth of liquor from the LCBO, as well as targeting Home Depot, Dollarama, Value Village, and Metro stores, has led to the arrests of four people from Mississauga.

Halton Regional Police say they launched their investigation in August in partnership with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) Resource Protection Unit.

“Over the course of the two-month investigation, police and LCBO investigators identified four individuals believed responsible for a series of thefts involving liquor valued at over $85,000, committed during 54 separate incidents since May 2025. In addition to targeting LCBO locations, the group also stole merchandise from other retailers, including Home Depot, Dollarama, Value Village, and Metro stores,” said police.

Stores across the GTA were targeted.

On Oct. 1, four people were arrested in Oakville as part of a vehicle search, which turned up cocaine and other drugs.

All four of those arrested were already under various forms of judicial release for previous theft-related charges, according to police.

They were held for bail and face the following charges:

Christopher Noel, 39, is charged with:

• Three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking
• Theft over $5,000
• Theft under $5,000
• Fail to comply with a release order
• Possession of property obtained by crime
• Two counts of failure to comply with probation

Police say Noel was bound by eight separate release orders at the time of the arrest.

Crystal King, 40, is charged with:

• Three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking
• Theft under $5,000
• Possession of property obtained by crime

Philip Young, 48, is charged with:

• Three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking
• Theft under $5,000
• Possession of property obtained by crime
• Two counts of failure to comply with probation

Marc Martiniello, 33, is charged with:

• Three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking

“The theft of goods from retail stores impacts all Ontarians through increased prices and compromised safety in retail environments. The rise in organized retail crime continues to pose risks to both retail workers and customers,” Halton police said, stressing that retail theft is not a victimless crime.

Anyone with information regarding the illegal sale of stolen goods is encouraged to contact the Halton Police Retail Crime Unit at 905-825-4747.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.