Montreal Police Investigating Grocery Store Theft by Suspects Dressed as Santa, Elves

Montreal police are investigating a theft at a local Metro grocery store involving several suspects dressed as Santas and elves. Shutterstock

Montreal police are investigating a theft at a local Metro grocery store after video surfaced of several Santas and some helpers in elf hats taking food from the shelves and leaving without paying.

A group calling themselves “Robins des ruelles” or Robins of the Alleys, a reference to Robin Hood, took responsibility in a social media post for the theft of around $3,000 worth of food. The group also released a video on social media that showed people wearing masks, elf hats, and Santa costumes in the grocery store, as well as outside on the street.

Montreal police spokesperson Johany Charland confirmed the Dec. 15 incident is under investigation, noting that no injuries were reported.

“The suspects allegedly left the store with the food without paying for it,” Charland said of the evening incident. “There’s an investigation that’s ongoing to see if we’re able to locate the suspects who were involved.”

She told The Epoch Times investigators were reviewing video footage of the event and talking to witnesses. She also confirmed that the suspects managed to get away with less than $5,000 worth of items, but did not give an exact amount.

The group that has taken credit for the theft says its members targeted the grocery store at a time when people are struggling to buy food to eat.

The food was left under a Christmas tree at Place Simon-Valois in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, according to a social media post on the account of activist group Les soulèvements du fleuve.