Three Toronto women are facing charges in a shoplifting scheme after being arrested by Port Hope police on Saturday (October 11).
On Saturday, an off-duty Port Hope police officer observed three women at the Port Hope Dollarama who matched the description of suspects wanted in connection with a previous theft from another Port Hope business.
The off-duty officer notified on-duty officers, and told them the three suspects left in a minivan and were headed east toward Cobourg.
Officers located the minivan parked at the Northumberland Mall in Cobourg, where they observed the three suspects exiting the Cobourg Dollarama and entering the van.
Police conducted a stop and detained the three women in connection with the investigation.
After searching the vehicle, police located a large quantity of stolen items, including Tylenol, Advil, lighters, chocolate bars, gum, and household goods, with a total estimated value of $7,021.
Police determined the women had concealed the stolen items within long skirts that had been altered with zippered compartments designed to hide merchandise.
The three women, aged 47, 32, and 27 and all from Toronto, were each charged with theft over $5,000 and possession of property obtained from crime.
After being charged, the women were released on undertakings with conditions and future court dates.
