Over 20 separate incidents of thefts and fraud have led to charges for two city men.
The North Bay Police Service says it was contacted by the head office of a local business in March involving an investigation done between June and October 2024.
Police say over $19,000 in merchandise was taken in ten incidents that saw one person distract a cashier and store associates while another person would walk out with a cart of unpaid items.
They say 11 other incidents saw one person pay and leave with items, then return and load up a cart with the same items on the receipt and leave without paying.
The stolen items were then returned by another person, according to police, who say the thefts and fraud added up to a combined total of nearly $12,000.
One man, a 40-year-old city resident faces five charges of theft and fraud.
He was held for a bail hearing.
The other man, a 69-year-old North Bay resident, faces three charges of theft and fraud and was released on an undertaking.
