Grocery grabs in Guelph lead to theft charges for Mississauga man

A 23-year-old Mississauga man is facing multiple theft charges after a shifty shopper tried to steal nearly $5,000 in footwear, fruit, energy drinks, clothes and various other goods from the same Guelph store four times within two months.

The grocery bandit was successful on one occasion, according to Guelph Police, who said in a news release the culprit made off on June 19 with 61 items valued at nearly $2,000 from the Woodlawn Road West/Woolwich Street business.

Having gotten away on that day with motor oil, clothes, pots and pans, towels and other items worth $1,957, the thief returned to the store 11 days later in search of more goods, police said.

This past Sunday, a man entered the store and filled a backpack with more than $500 in lighters, according to investigators. The store’s loss prevention officer recognized the culprit and called police.

A man was arrested a short time later.

Police said the spree began on April 19 when a man tried to flee the store with a grocery cart filled with 38 items that included energy drinks, clothing, footwear, fruit and various other items valued at $987.

After he was stopped by store security near the front doors, he fled the scene empty-handed.

Six days later, on April 25, the man returned to the store and once again filled a grocery cart with goods and tried to escape with them, police said.

This time, the cart contained 63 items including more energy drinks, clothing, produce and various other items valued at $1,212.

Again, the man fled without the goods after store security intervened.

A Mississauga man has been charged with four counts of theft under $5,000 and 12 counts fail to comply with probation.

He was released after a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear again in court on Aug. 6.