Six charged as more than $3M in stolen goods recovered in GTA

Five men and one woman face charges in Project Steal N' Spirits

Chris Doucette
Published Apr 30, 2025  •  Last updated Apr 30, 2025  •  2 minute read
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Project Steal N' Spirits , an investigation into organized thefts from wholesalers and commercial businesses in York Region and the GTA has so far led to six arrests and the recovery of more than $3 million in allegedly stolen goods.
Project Steal N' Spirits , an investigation into organized thefts from wholesalers and commercial businesses in York Region and the GTA has so far led to six arrests and the recovery of more than $3 million in stolen goods. Photo by Handout /York Regional Police

Five men and one woman face charges stemming from an investigation into organized thefts involving millions of dollars in goods stolen in the Greater Toronto Area.

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York Regional Police say the “targeted” investigation – dubbed Project Steal N’ Spirits – was launched in December 2024 in an effort to curb thefts of high-end construction tools from wholesalers and commercial businesses.

The operation culminated in a series of search warrants being executed in March.

“The project aimed not only to arrest those committing the thefts but also to identify members of the broader criminal network responsible for trafficking and reselling the stolen goods,” Const. Lisa Moskaluk said in a statement Wednesday.

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She said search warrants were executed at a Toronto residence and multiple storage lockers, leading to the recovery of stolen property valued at more than $3 million.

Project Steal N' Spirits , an investigation into organized thefts from wholesalers and commercial businesses in York Region and the GTA has so far led to six arrests and the recovery of more than $3 million in allegedly stolen goods.
Project Steal N’ Spirits , an investigation into organized thefts from wholesalers and commercial businesses in York Region and the GTA has so far led to six arrests and the recovery of more than $3 million in stolen goods. Photo by Handout /York Regional Police

Images released by investigators show boxes of power tools and other stolen items stuffed into the garage and kitchen of a home, as well as a storage unit lined with cordless DeWalt lawnmowers and Moen fixtures stacked neatly on a shelving unit.

Project Steal N' Spirits , an investigation into organized thefts from wholesalers and commercial businesses in York Region and the GTA has so far led to six arrests and the recovery of more than $3 million in allegedly stolen goods.
Project Steal N’ Spirits , an investigation into organized thefts from wholesalers and commercial businesses in York Region and the GTA has so far led to six arrests and the recovery of more than $3 million in stolen goods. Photo by Handout /York Regional Police

Six suspects have been charged so far in connection with the thefts.

Toronto woman Jie Zhou, 46, is charged with participation in the activities of a criminal organization, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5,000, and fraud over $5,000.

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Project Steal N' Spirits , an investigation into organized thefts from wholesalers and commercial businesses in York Region and the GTA has so far led to six arrests and the recovery of more than $3 million in allegedly stolen goods.
Project Steal N’ Spirits , an investigation into organized thefts from wholesalers and commercial businesses in York Region and the GTA has so far led to six arrests and the recovery of more than $3 million in stolen goods. Photo by Handout /York Regional Police

Chen Feng, 45, a man from Toronto, is charged with participation in the activities of a criminal organization, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5,000, fraud over $5,000, instructing the commission of an offence for a criminal organization, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

Project Steal N' Spirits , an investigation into organized thefts from wholesalers and commercial businesses in York Region and the GTA has so far led to six arrests and the recovery of more than $3 million in allegedly stolen goods.
Project Steal N’ Spirits , an investigation into organized thefts from wholesalers and commercial businesses in York Region and the GTA has so far led to six arrests and the recovery of more than $3 million in stolen goods. Photo by Handout /York Regional Police

Lakhwinder Toor, 42, a Caledon man, Manish Manish, 31, a Mississauga man, Jagdish Pandher, 43, a Brampton man, and Harpreet Bhandal, 42, a Mississauga man, are each charged with trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

Project Steal N' Spirits , an investigation into organized thefts from wholesalers and commercial businesses in York Region and the GTA has so far led to six arrests and the recovery of more than $3 million in allegedly stolen goods.
Project Steal N’ Spirits , an investigation into organized thefts from wholesalers and commercial businesses in York Region and the GTA has so far led to six arrests and the recovery of more than $3 million in stolen goods. Photo by Handout /York Regional Police

The Sun has confirmed one of the accused — Jagdish Pandher — has previously been accused of repeatedly stealing donation boxes from religious temples in the GTA and Peel Regional Police have referred to him as “a prolific offender.”

Jagdish Pandher was wanted for allegedly breaking into two religious temples in Scarborough and stealing cash from donation boxes on March 6 and March 18, 2025.
Jagdish Pandher was wanted for allegedly breaking into two religious temples in Scarborough and stealing cash from donation boxes on March 6 and March 18, 2025. Photo by Handout /Toronto Police

Police expect the “ongoing” investigation will lead to additional arrests and the recovery of more allegedly stolen goods.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call police 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7445, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

cdoucette@postmedia.com

@sundoucette

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