THUNDER BAY – A pair of Thunder Bay men are facing a total of 76 charges in what police term serial shoplifting at LCBO outlets and other retailers around the city.
Police, in a release issued on Friday afternoon, said the one suspect allegedly stole more than $1,550 worth of product while the other is suspected of taking more than $730 worth of merchandise.
The LCBO has a well-known hands-off policy by staff when it comes to shoplifting offences.
Police say they began their investigation after ongoing online reports surfaced about multiple liquor store thefts. The officer investigating then linked multiple alleged theft incidents to the two accused, who were identified using high-quality surveillance footage.
Steve Appel, 39, of Thunder Bay, was charged with 19 counts of breach of probation, four counts of breach of recognizance and 19 counts of theft under $5,000.
Eric Andrew Atkinson, 35, was charged with assault, 19 counts theft under $5,000 and 14 counts of breach of recognizance.
