Ongoing butter thefts in Guelph continue to challenge local stores

Theft incidents on Speedvale Avenue East and Eramosa Road

On October 12, 2024, at around 7:45 p.m., two men entered a store on Speedvale Avenue East. They placed three cases of butter, valued at $936, in a cart and exited through a receiving door. Both men were described as brown-skinned, about 40 years old, and 5'7" tall, with medium builds. One wore a dark sleeveless vest and a blue and white baseball cap, while the other wore a dark winter coat and a red baseball cap. They were last seen leaving in a white four-door sedan. Just four days later, on October 16, two men targeted a business on Eramosa Road. They placed four cases of butter, worth $958, in a cart and left through an emergency exit. Both men were also described as having brown skin. One was dressed in a tan jacket and black pants, while the other wore a black jacket, black pants, and a black baseball cap.

Previous large-scale butter thefts in Guelph

Butter thefts have plagued Guelph businesses for months. In August 2023, two major thefts occurred within the same hour. A man stole two cases of butter from a store on Gordon Street and Clair Road, with a total value of $500. Another man stole $300 worth of butter from a store on Kortright Road West and Edinburgh Road South, leaving in a white Toyota Corolla. On December 24, 2023, three men from Brampton were caught with over $1,000 in stolen butter. Police recovered 144 sticks of butter and 17 containers of ghee after arresting the men outside a grocery store. This case highlighted the increasing scale of butter theft in the region.

Investigation and prevention efforts

The Guelph Police Service continues to investigate these thefts and is urging local businesses to take additional precautions. Authorities are asking the public to report any suspicious activity. Butter, an essential and frequently used product, has become a prime target for theft, causing financial strain on local businesses. Police are encouraging businesses to: - Enhance store security, especially around high-value items like butter. - Install more surveillance cameras. - Train staff to be vigilant about theft prevention. The series of butter thefts in Guelph shows no signs of stopping. Local businesses, together with the police, are working to implement measures to reduce future incidents.

source: CTV News