Man sentenced to 5 years in prison for stealing more than $300K from LCBO stores across Ontario

A man has been sentenced to five years in prison after stealing more than $300,000 worth of product from several LCBO stores across Ontario, including Guelph.

Police in Guelph say they had been investigating the thefts since May 2024, along with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario.

A suspect was identified through the investigation who was believed to have committed more than 100 thefts from across the province, including 10 thefts in Guelph.

Guelph police spokesperson Scott Tracey said he was found and arrested in May 2024.

"They traveled to St. Catharines and were able to find him actually sleeping in a stolen vehicle," Tracey told CBC News.

"So with assistance from Niagara Regional Police, the vehicle was blocked in. The man woke up, rammed a couple of police cruisers in an effort to escape, but ultimately was placed under arrest."

The man pleaded guilty to a list of charges, including several counts of theft over $5,000, theft of motor vehicle, dangerous driving and assault with a weapon.

He was sentenced to five years in prison and a three-year driving prohibition.

Tracey said the sentence may prove a deterrent for others who are thinking of stealing from liquor stores.

"This sentence — now that's been handed down — does serve as a definite deterrent to others who might see LCBO stores, for whatever reason, as an easy target," he said.

"I think this does send the message that police will investigate these crimes. The offenders do get caught and when they are caught, the courts send significant messages through the sentences."