Send us a text

Earlier this year, the Retail Council of Canada released an alarming report about a "national crisis" facing its members: skyrocketing rates of theft, violence and organized criminal activity.

This week, police in Halton Region added to the long list of examples.

Three people were arrested for their role in what the cops described as a “large-scale liquor trafficking operation” that moved more than $1.3 million worth of stolen booze across the Greater Toronto Area. Police say the ring included at least ten groups of organized thieves who stole bottles from various LCBO outlets.

"Our community deserves to shop and work in safe environments," said Inspector Raf Skwarka. “The individuals involved in this operation showed a deliberate disregard for the law and for the safety of others."

How is it even possible for a group of people to shoplift more than $1.3 million worth of alcohol? Is this one of the most brazen examples of the crime wave Canadian retailers are grappling with? What is the solution?

Joining us on tonight's Closer Look to tackle those questions, and many more, is Rui Rodrigues, a loss prevention advisor at the Retail Council of Canada.

Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.

Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show’s dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is [email protected].