(TOWNSHIP OF WELLINGTON NORTH, ON) – On June 11, 2024, Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a theft report from a business in Mount Forest. It was reported that at approximately 1:45 p.m., three people entered the store and stole over $2000 in product when they refused to pay for the items, walking past check out personal. They fled the scene in a white mini van.
At approximately 2:15 p.m., OPP received a second theft report from a retailer in Arthur. In nearly an identical situation, the three were reported to have stolen nearly $800 worth of product.
Shortly thereafter, members of the Wellington County OPP were able to locate and stop the three suspects. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the three had also victimized retailers in Shelburne and Orangeville earlier that day.
As a result of the investigation, Lucian VASILE, 34-years-old of Hamilton, Ionut ENE, 34-years-old of Hamilton and Laurentiu PARAIPAN, 32-years-old of Hamilton, have all been charged with four counts of Theft Under $5000 and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, contrary to the criminal code. Further, VASILE and LAURENTIU face the additional charge of Failing to Comply with an Undertaking contrary to the Criminal Code. All three were held for bail.
