Alleged grocery theft caught on camera, store owner speaks out

A still image of a video showing a man dropping products he was allegedly trying to steal from Le Marché Tradition de Saint-Georges. (Le Marché Tradition de Saint-Georges)

The owner of a grocery store in Quebec’s Mauricie region is speaking out after a video showing a man dropping products he was allegedly trying to steal made the rounds on social media.

Victor Moreau, the owner of Le Marché Tradition de Saint-Georges, tells Noovo Info that his store is repeatedly robbed, a potential byproduct of the ever-increasing cost of living.

“It’s still shocking. We work hard and we have employees to pay and bills to pay,” he said. “It may not seem like it but owning a grocery store is extremely expensive.”

Despite this, Moreau says he regularly donates to food aid organizations through his store.

“When you give like that to the community and you get a response like this, it’s pretty shocking,” he said.

Moreau notes that meat and alcohol are the products most frequently stolen, and he often reports the thefts to the police.

“We have enough cases that we have them on speed dial and can contact them quickly,” he said.

Moreau claims thieves take about one per cent of products on sale.

If grocery prices continue to go up – along with food thefts – Moreau says he worries his store won’t be able to continue making any profits.