Canada: Four Punjabis arrested for allegedly stealing expensive power tools from Markham store
Investigators said all four arrested individuals were already out on bail or subject to release conditions at the time of the incident.
PTC News Desk: Canada Police have arrested four people and are searching for a fifth suspect in connection with the theft of expensive power tools from a retail store in Markham, near Toronto.
According to police, the incident took place at around 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, at a retail store near Fairburn Drive and Highway 7.
The store's loss prevention staff spotted five suspects loading expensive power tools into shopping carts. Security staff recognized the group as being linked to previous shoplifting incidents. While monitoring them, they saw the suspects leave the store without paying for the merchandise.
Store employees then noticed the suspects loading the stolen items into a vehicle outside and immediately alerted police. When officers arrived, the suspects allegedly tried to flee and rammed their vehicle into a police cruiser before abandoning it and running away on foot.
Police chased the suspects and arrested four of them, while the fifth managed to escape. Investigators said all four arrested individuals were already out on bail or subject to release conditions at the time of the incident.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Mohit Sharma (36), of no fixed address; Manpreet Singh (30), of Brampton; Vishwajeet Singh (22), of Mississauga; and Sukhjinder Rakhra (43), of Kitchener.
According to police, Mohit Sharma has been charged with theft over $5,000, possession of stolen property, possession of break-in tools, obstructing police, possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of breaching court-ordered conditions.
Manpreet Singh faces charges of theft over $5,000, possession of stolen property, possession of break-in tools, obstructing police, breaching release orders, and violating probation.
Vishwajeet Singh has been charged with theft over $5,000, possession of stolen property, possession of break-in tools, obstructing police, and breaching release and court-imposed conditions.
Sukhjinder Rakhra has been charged with theft over $5,000, possession of stolen property, possession of break-in tools, and fleeing from police.
York Regional Police said the investigation is ongoing, and efforts are continuing to locate the fifth suspect who remains at large.