St. Thomas, ON – Wednesday August 6th, 2025
In response to a notable increase in retail theft across the city, the St. Thomas Police Service’s Street Crime and Property Crime Unit launched a targeted enforcement initiative known as Project Carts and Robbers.
The project focused on 1063 Talbot Street, a commercial complex identified as having the highest number of reported thefts in the city. The operation was conducted on four separate days in July, focusing on peak times identified through criminal trend analysis.
Working collaboratively with loss prevention officers from Walmart and the Real Canadian Superstore, the objectives were clear: to identify and arrest those responsible for criminal offences, deter future incidents and make recommendations related to crime prevention.
The results of Project Carts and Robbers include:
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17 Criminal Code charges laid, including two under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
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3 individuals arrested on outstanding warrants
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2 Highway Traffic Act offences
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Recovery of a stolen vehicle valued at $16,000
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Seizure of approximately $100 in recovered merchandise
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1 gram of fentanyl and 10 hydromorphone tablets seized
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A prohibited weapon (brass knuckles) recovered
This project also provided valuable intelligence for ongoing investigations and furthered collaboration with local retail partners.
The St. Thomas Police Service remains committed to proactive enforcement and partnership based strategies to address property crime and enhance community safety.
