Two more suspects arrested in $500,000 Crown Royal heist

CTV News

23-07-2025

Windsor police officers have arrested two more suspects in connection with a $500,000 liquor theft in May.
Eight people have now been charged in the case.
The theft occurred shortly before 9 p.m. on May 17, when police say several suspects stole a semi-tractor trailer loaded with more than 1,000 boxes of Crown Royal whisky from a secured facility in the 3300 block of Devon Drive.
The trailer was found abandoned the following day in Lakeshore, with the load of whiskey missing.
The Windsor Police Target Base Unit launched an extensive investigation which quickly led to the arrest of six suspects.
A seventh suspect, 45-year-old Michael Christopher Bernard, turned himself in at Windsor Police headquarters on July 10. He has been charged with:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (x5)
- Possession of property obtained by crime for trafficking over $5,000 (x2)
- Operation of a conveyance while prohibited (x2)
- Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
On July 22, officers located and arrested an eighth suspect, Wilfred St. Jean, 42, in the 900 block of Reedmere Road. He has been charged with:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (x2)
- Possession of property obtained by crime for trafficking over $5,000
- Wearing a disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence
- Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
Investigators previously arrested Jason Greenwood, 46, Anthony Nelson, 57, Erica Nelson, 44, Justin Vachon, 27, and William Girard, 49 on June 5. David Lombardi, 54, was arrested the following day.
To date, police have recovered 66 boxes of the stolen liquor. The rest remains missing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Target Base Unit at 519-255-6700, ext. 4350. They can also contact Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.catchcrooks.com.