Retail thefts fought by police on two fronts in Mississauga and Brampton

Police in Mississauga and Brampton say they’ve stepped up efforts to fight retail thefts — both on the street and in the conference room.

On the street, a specialized unit of officers was formed last September by Peel Regional Police to tackle several types of crime that include break-ins and the taking from retail businesses of large amounts of goods such as jewelry, clothes and other items.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday at Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga’s downtown core, Peel police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews said the force’s increased focus on a crime that’s “become endemic in our community” has paid off so far.

While the number of retail thefts across the region has remained consistent in Peel in the past 12 months, the number of arrests and charges has increased by more than 30 per cent, the deputy chief noted, adding the activity the culprits are taking part in “is not petty crime.”

Along with other Peel police brass and officers on hand July 3 at Ontario’s largest shopping centre, Andrews revealed details of a recent operation that led to an arrest in connection with an April 30 heist of nearly $1 million in jewelry and clothes from Holt Renfrew at Square One. Police said most of the stolen goods were recovered.

Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews speaks to the media this past Friday at Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga.

“Retail theft has a direct and significant impact on local businesses and the broader community,” said Andrews. “Incidents like this not only result in financial loss but undermine the sense of safety for those who live and work in our region.”

Police in Peel say they’re also battling retail thefts in another way.

Having participated in a national conference held in Mississauga this past March that brought police and corporate asset protection teams together to talk about ways to put a dent in retail thefts, Peel police are hosting a session of their own this fall.

The local law enforcement agency said it will stage the Retail Organized Crime Conference in October, the event bringing together law enforcement agencies, retail sector partners and government partners “to advance collaboration and develop a unified approach to disrupting organized retail crime that impacts our communities.”

The date and location of the conference have yet to be revealed.

BEAR squad called into action 

Formed in September 2025, the Peel police Break-and-Enter Auto and Retail organized crime squad, aka BEAR unit, led the recent investigation into the major theft at Holt Renfrew.

The BEAR squad is a crime-fighting team put together to reduce break-ins and car thefts in Mississauga and Brampton. It utilizes a specialized unit of plainclothes officers that targets “organized break-and-enter and auto-related crimes.”

The squad is part of a pilot project designed to “enhance enforcement, strengthen victim support and proactively disrupt criminal networks affecting communities across Peel,” police said earlier.

The BEAR unit was established “after a growing trend of calculated and coordinated crimes was identified in Peel, including break-and-enters and auto theft,” police noted earlier.

Since its launch, the BEAR organized crime squad has made 93 arrests and laid 577 charges, Peel police said.

Andrews added the BEAR unit “is a strong example of how we listen and adapt our response to emerging crime trends.”