Hamilton residents charged in June 11 shoplifting spree

WELLINGTON NORTH – Three Hamilton residents have been charged in connection with a shoplifting spree earlier this week at stores in Mount Forest, Arthur, Shelburne and Orangeville.

On June 11, Wellington County OPP responded to a theft report at a business in Mount Forest.

“It was reported that at approximately 1:45pm, three people entered the store and stole over $2,000 in product ...” police stated in a June 14 press release.

"They refused to pay for the items, walking past check-out personal. They fled the scene in a white mini van.”

Thirty minutes later,  at about 2:15pm, police received a theft report from a retailer in Arthur.

“In nearly an identical situation, the three were reported to have stolen nearly $800 worth of product,” police stated.

Officers located and stopped the three suspects and later determined they had also victimized retailers in Shelburne and Orangeville earlier the same day.

Hamilton residents Lucian Vasile, 34, Ionut Ene, 34, and Laurentiu Paraipan, 32, were charged with four counts of theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.

Vasile and Paraipan were also charged with failing to comply with an undertaking.

All three were held for bail.