The North Bay Police Service reports 27 shopping carts suspected of being stolen from seven local retailers have been recovered and returned.
They say they’re worth an estimated $12,000, with the recovery taking place last Wednesday.
That was the first day of Operation Cart-nundrum, an ongoing enforcement project led by the Community Response Unit.
Police say the initiative focuses on recovering stolen shopping carts and returning them to their rightful owners.
Officers also laid a criminal charge of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime in connection with the initiative following an enforcement action in the 100 block of McIntyre Street West.
“Recovering and returning 27 shopping carts to seven local retailers on the first day of Operation Cart-nundrum is a practical result for those businesses. Carts are property retailers rely on, and when they’re taken without authorization, it creates costs for them,” says Deputy Chief Robert Norman. “Our focus is on addressing that behaviour, returning the carts to their rightful owners, and taking appropriate enforcement action where the evidence supports it.”
The enforcement project is ongoing as city police say they continue efforts to address theft and support local businesses and residents.
