A Hamilton Police investigation into organized retail theft has resulted in 32 people facing 235 criminal charges, the recovery of more than $300,000 in suspected stolen property, and the seizure of a 2021 Ram TRX valued at approximately $100,000.
After a 25 per cent increase in thefts at Hamilton Home Depot stores, Hamilton Police launched Project Checkout to identify those responsible and disrupt the organized resale of stolen merchandise.
What began as a series of shoplifting investigations quickly revealed an organized operation. Investigators found organized groups were stealing high-value tools and construction equipment from Hamilton Home Depot stores before reselling the items through online marketplaces at prices well below retail. In several incidents, offenders threatened violence when store employees attempted to intervene.
During the four-month investigation, police executed two search warrants at a commercial property and a residence, recovering hundreds of suspected stolen tools and other items believed to be connected to the theft ring. A 2021 Ram TRX, believed to be proceeds of crime and valued at approximately $100,000, was also seized.
Organized retail theft extends far beyond the store. Stolen property is often resold online, fuelling criminal activity while driving up costs for businesses and consumers. By disrupting this network, investigators recovered stolen property, prevented additional offences and removed a significant supply of stolen merchandise from the illegal marketplace.
Hamilton Police worked closely with Home Depot's Asset Protection Team, whose ongoing partnership and information sharing were instrumental in the success of the investigation.
Project Checkout Results
- 32 people charged
- 235 criminal charges
- 15 court orders obtained
- Two search warrants executed
- More than $300,000 in suspected stolen property recovered
- One 2021 Ram TRX seized (approximately $100,000)
The following individuals have been charged:
James Classen, 64
- Theft Under $5,000
- Fail to Comply with Probation x 2
Ronny Maroughi, 33
- Theft Under $5,000
Brandon Comley, 33
- Theft Under $5,000
Geddy Jensen, 43
- Theft Under $5,000
Rajwinder Singh, 45
- Theft Under $5,000
Karanbir Singh, 31
- Theft Under $5,000
Sartaj Singh, 28
- Theft Under $5,000
- Fail to Comply with Probation x 2
Lakhvir Singh, 27
- Theft Under $5,000
Aashish Sharma, 34
- Theft Over $5,000
- Fail to Comply with Probation x 2
Adam Greenly, 30
- Theft Under $5,000
Vishkavjeet Singh, 23
- Theft Under $5,000
Cody Wood, 31
- Theft Under $5,000
- Fail to Comply with Probation x 4
Andrew Doyle, 47
- Theft Under $5,000
Matthew Wells, 44
- Theft Under $5,000
Mati Husam, 34
- Theft Under $5,000
Rita Al Bezo, 33
- Theft Under $5,000
Vishavjeet Singh, 23
- Theft Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
- Fail to Comply with Probation x 2
Manpreet Singh, 30
- Theft Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
- Fail to Comply with Release Order x 4
David Phung, 19
- Theft Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
- Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime
- Resist Arrest
Timothy Hall, 42
- Theft Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
- Fail to Comply with Probation
Conor Fisher, 26
- Theft Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
Gurmeet Singh, 28
- Theft Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
Daljinder Singh, 35
- Theft Under $5,000 x 5
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 x 5
- Fail to Comply with Release Order x 73
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking x 5
Samir Mati, 50
- Theft Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
Jonathan Woodruff, 21
- Theft Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
Destiny Sawkins, 40
- Theft Under $5,000
Mark McCombe, 55
- Theft Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
Dylan Pynn, 29
- Theft Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
- Fail to Comply with Probation x 3
Gurjit Singh, 25
- Theft Over $5,000
- Theft Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
- Disobey Court Order x 2
- Fail to Comply with Probation x 3
William Duce, 49
- Theft Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
Malkit Singh, 46
- Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
- Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5,000
Kamaljit Sandhu, 41
- Theft Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
- Disobey Court Order
- Fail to Comply with Probation
Anyone with information about organized retail theft or the trafficking of stolen property is asked to contact Detective Constable Max Lamont at 905-546-2917 or by email at [email protected].
To provide information anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip online at www.crimestoppershamilton.com.
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