Region of Peel\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Investigators from the 11 Division Break and Enter Auto and Retail (BEAR) Organized Crime Unit have arrested a suspect and recovered\u00a0nearly\u00a0$1 million\u00a0in stolen property in connection with a shopping mall break-in in Mississauga.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shortly after midnight on April 30, a masked suspect used tools to gain entry to a store at\u00a0Square One Shopping Centre\u00a0and stole high-value jewelry and clothing from multiple displays. The suspect fled on foot before stealing an unoccupied vehicle that had been left running nearby. The vehicle was recovered by patrol officers the following day.<\/p>\n
Through extensive video canvassing and investigative efforts, investigators\u00a0identified\u00a0the suspect and executed a search warrant at the suspect\u2019s residence, recovering a significant quantity of stolen property.<\/p>\n
As a result,\u00a0Amir Nikbakht, a 41\u2011year\u2011old man from Mississauga, was arrested and held in custody pending a bail hearing. He has been charged with the following offences:<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Possession of Break-In Instruments\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Disguise with Intent\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Theft of Motor Vehicle\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Weapons Dangerous\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fail to\u00a0Comply\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Breach of Probation\u00a0<\/p>\n
This investigation\u00a0remains\u00a0active and ongoing as investigators continue to\u00a0identify\u00a0additional\u00a0victims and related theft occurrences.<\/p>\n
While retail theft has remained consistent over the last 12 months, arrests and charges have increased more than 30 per cent. \u00a0<\/p>\n
This reflects how\u00a0Peel Regional Police tailors its approach to combat crime\u00a0impacting\u00a0communities through strategic, intelligence-led enforcement efforts, including the BEAR Organized Crime Unit\u00a0\u2013\u00a0launched in September 2025 to disrupt and dismantle organized retail theft networks\u00a0operating\u00a0across the region.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, the service\u00a0will host the Retail Organized Crime Conference in October, bringing together law enforcement agencies, retail sector partners, and\u00a0government partners\u00a0to advance collaboration and develop a unified approach to disrupting organized retail crime that\u00a0impacts\u00a0our communities.<\/p>\n
Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators with the 11 Division BEAR Unit at 905-453-2121, ext. 1102.<\/p>\n
QUICK FACTS<\/p>\n
Nearly $1 million in stolen property recovered from Mississauga shopping mall break-in\u00a0
\nSince launch, the BEAR Organized Crime Unit has made 93 arrests and laid 577 charges.\u00a0
\nRetails theft has remained consistent over the last 12 months, but arrests and charges have increased more than 30 per cent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
QUOTES<\/p>\n
\u201cRetail theft has a direct and significant impact on local businesses and the broader community. Incidents like this not only result in\u00a0financial loss\u00a0but undermine the sense of safety for those who live and work in our region. Our 11 Division BEAR Unit is a strong example of how we listen and adapt our response to emerging crime trends. Through proactive, intelligence-led policing, we are taking decisive action to disrupt organized retail crime and hold offenders accountable.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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–\u00a0 \u00a0 Deputy Chief Marc Andrews, Peel Regional Police<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe\u2019re\u00a0proud to support Peel Regional Police\u2019s BEAR program and to be home to an on-site Peel Regional Police\u00a0Community Sub-station at Square One. This combination of dedicated police resources along with our advanced surveillance systems and security team strengthen coordination, help deter crime, and support investigations. Together,\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0reinforcing a shared commitment to the safety of our retailers, employees, and the millions who visit Square One each year, while sending a clear message that organized retail crime has no place in our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
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–\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Stephen Gascoine, Director and General Manager, Square One Shopping Centre<\/p>\n
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“What Peel Police is doing here is exactly what we need more of across the country. When we treat Organized Retail Crime like any other\u00a0serious organized\u00a0crime, we see real results: great collaboration, ORC networks dismantled, goods recovered, and communities made safer.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
–\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rui Rodrigues, Executive Advisor, Retail Council of Canada\u00a0<\/p>\n
SOCIAL MEDIA\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Email: media.relations@peelpolice.ca<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0
Phone:\u00a0905-453-2121, ext. 4027<\/p>\n
Occ#:\u00a0PR260145246\/ PR260145252<\/p>\n