TORONTO, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Toronto police say they've broken up a well-organized and creative shoplifting ring that targeted liquor stores and big-box retailers in the past seven months.
Detective Lester Wright told the Toronto Sun five people were arrested and warrants were issued for two other alleged members in the group dubbed "The Family" by investigators.
"This is one of the biggest and most sophisticated theft rings I've seen in my 31 years with Toronto police," Wright said. "They swapped coats, wore hairpieces and drove around in rental cars to throw off police."
At provincial Liquor Control Board of Ontario liquor stores, video surveillance showed groups of people entering the store and fanning out. Toward the back of the stores, several bottles would be fumbled and broken on the floor and, as staff was distracted, other members of the group would escape with loaded carts of liquor, LCBO spokesman Ihor Salij told the newspaper.
In stores such as Home Depot, thieves used large bags lined with aluminum foil to bypass security scanners at store exits, the report said.
