Retail theft adding up; addressing organized retail theft affecting local businesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday April 24, 2026    8:45 a.m.

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) has launched a Retail Theft Pilot in the Central District focused on addressing organized retail theft and supporting businesses impacted by these crimes.

The pilot, which began on April 1, 2026, is designed to better identify patterns of coordinated theft, in which groups steal merchandise in large quantities, often totalling thousands of dollars, from retailers and resell the goods for profit. These incidents can include smaller items taken in bulk and can have a significant financial impact on businesses, often linking across multiple locations.

Since its launch, the pilot has:

• Helped consolidate more than 100 retail theft files, improving the ability to identify patterns and connections between incidents
• Supported approximately 300 charges related to theft and repeat offending
• Strengthened the ability to present the broader scope and financial impact of organized retail theft cases in court
• Connected some individuals with community-based supports where appropriate

The pilot is being conducted in collaboration with CF Rideau Centre and its retailers. Investigators are reviewing incidents where merchandise is taken in large quantities and believed to be resold through organized channels, including cases where smaller items are stolen in bulk and accumulate to significant losses.

A small, dedicated team is working closely together to track repeat activity, build stronger cases, and focus enforcement efforts where they will have the greatest impact. This coordinated approach allows officers in the community to remain visible and responsive, while ensuring more complex investigations receive focused attention.

Importantly, this initiative focuses on organized and repeated retail theft that has a significant impact on businesses. When people are in need of support, officers continue to work with community partners to connect them with the right services.

The pilot will run until September 30, 2026. Its results will help determine whether a longer-term, city-wide approach is needed.

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