Your Sikhs today: Home Depot edition

Hamilton ON police announced this week that they have rounded up more than 30 of the usual suspects -- at least 12 of them Sikhs -- in "Project Checkout", an investigation into organized retail theft targeting Home Depot stores. The four-month probe was launched after police noticed a 25% increase in thefts from the American D-I-Y chain.

According to their statement, "What began as a series of shoplifting investigations quickly revealed an organized operation. Investigators found organized groups were stealing high-value tools and construction equipment from Hamilton Home Depot stores before reselling the items through online marketplaces at prices well below retail."

Police allege that in several incidents, suspects "threatened violence when store employees attempted to intervene." They say two search warrants were subsequently carried out at a commercial property and residence where hundreds of suspected stolen tools and other items believed to be connected to the the theft ring were recovered. A 2021 RAM TRX, valued at about C$100,000 ($70,000 in real money), was also seized.

Here's the list of those charged. There are 12 Singhs. More of the accused may also be Sikhs whose fully names have not been reported. Note those who were already on probation or out on bail in other matters.

James Classen, 64 Theft Under $5000, Fail to Comply with Probation x 2 

Ronny Maroughi, 33 Theft Under $5000 

Brandon Comley, 33 Theft Under $5000 

Geddy Jensen, 43 Theft Under $5000 

Rajwinder Singh, 45 Theft Under $5000 

Karanbir Singh, 31 Theft Under $5000 

Sartaj Singh, 28 Theft Under $5000, Fail to Comply with Probation x 2 

Lakhvir Singh, 27 Theft Under $5000 

Aashish Sharma, 34 Theft Over $5,000, Fail to Comply with Probation x 2

Adam Greenly, 30 Theft Under $5000 

Vishkavjeet Singh, 23 Theft Under $5000 

Cody Wood, 31 Theft Under $5000 Fail to Comply with Probation x 4 (!) 

Andrew Doyle, 47 Theft Under $5000 

Matthew Wells, 44 Theft Under $5000 

Mati Husam, 34 Theft Under $5000 

Rita Al Bezo, 33 Theft Under $5000 

Vishavjeet Singh, 23 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, Fail to Comply with Probation x 2 

Manpreet Singh, 30 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, Fail to Comply with Release Order x 4 (!) 

David Phung, 19 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime, Resist Arrest 

Timothy Hall, 42 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, Fail to Comply with Probation

Conor Fisher, 26 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000

Gurmeet Singh, 28 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000

Daljinder Singh, 35 Theft Under $5000 x 5, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 x 5, Fail to Comply with Release Order x 73 (!!!), Fail to Comply with Undertaking x 5 (!)

Samir Mati, 50 Theft Under $5000 Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 

Jonathan Woodruff, 21 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 Destiny Sawkins, 40 Theft Under $5000 

Mark McCombe, 55 Theft Under $5000 Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 Dylan Pynn, 29 Theft Under $5000 Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, Fail to Comply with Probation x 3 (!) 

Gurjit Singh, 25 Theft Over $5000, Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, Disobey Court Order x 2, Fail to Comply with Probation x 3 (!) 

William Duce, 49 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 

Malkit Singh, 46 Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000, Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5000 

Kamaljit Singh Sandhu, 41 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, Disobey Court Order, Fail to Comply with Probation

Most of the accused are expected to be out on bail (again!) by the time you read this. In accordance with Canadian rules respecting privacy, political correctness, and support of the marginalized peoples of the world, police have not disclosed any information as to the citizenship or immigration status ot any of the accused.