peel police

Police bust LCBO thieves with $115K of stolen booze and perfume in Mississauga

For those a-holes looking to steal from retailers right now, the pickings are pretty slim, given that most stores are shuttered to the public and that those still open have non-essential items cordoned off.

But during stressful pandemic times and the excuse it's given those of us who imbibe to drink even more, what's a more eligible item than alcohol?

So might have been the thought process of a duo who decided to hit up a string of LCBOs in Mississauga and steal an unfathomable amount of liquor.

Through the thefts, which began in February, the two culprits managed to turn a profit by reselling the pilfered spirits to third-party businesses.

Peel Regional Police finally busted the boozy bandits after an investigation, uncovering a whopping $115,000 worth of alcohol and other stolen goods, including luxury perfumes.

Forty-two-year-old Victor Karanikolov and 56-year-old Janusz Hapunik, both men from Mississauga, were charged with a number of crimes, among them multiple counts of fraud, theft, and trafficking in stolen goods. They just faced court in Brampton last week.

The pair probably would have made a killing off of all those Toronto partiers who've been hosting illicit gatherings with tens of thousands of dollars worth of libations in the middle of a provincewide emergency shutdown and stay-at-home order — and thankfully, those idiots were busted and 24 of them charged, too.

Lead photo by

Peel Regional Police


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Popular Ontario road trip destination is being copied with fake version in Toronto

Giant 'beast' sized rats are completely taking over an Ontario city

Last Canada Child Benefit payments before big increase are going out next week

Tornado watches in effect for Southern Ontario as severe thunderstorm approaches

Someone got a horrible TTC tattoo and people in Toronto think it's absolutely hilarious

Fascinating map shows which languages are spoken the most across Toronto

Toronto could finally allow more corner stores and cafes on the city's side streets

Toronto commuters prepare for buses to replace busy streetcar route for rest of the year