Police in Montreal are investigating an unusual holiday theft after a group dressed as Santa Claus and his elves allegedly walked out of a grocery store with around $3,000 worth of food without paying.
The bizarre incident took place around 9:15 p.m. on December 15 at a Metro grocery store on Laurier Avenue near Chambord Street, in the city’s Plateau-Mont-Royal borough. Videos circulating on social media show several people in Santa suits and masked elf costumes filling shopping carts before leaving the store.
Montreal police spokesperson Caroline Chèvrefils confirmed the department is looking into a shoplifting incident involving “masked and disguised individuals” who left the store with groceries. As of the latest update, no arrests have been made, and investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and videos shared online.
Group Claims Responsibility for “Robin Hood-Style” Theft
An activist group calling itself Robins des Ruelles — translated as Robins of the Alleys — later claimed responsibility for the stunt. In a statement posted on social media, the group said the food was taken to be redistributed to people in need across Montreal.
According to the group, some of the stolen groceries were left under a Christmas tree at Place Valois in the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough, while remaining items were delivered to community fridges and food banks. The group described the action as a “great food drive” and framed it as a political statement about food insecurity and rising grocery prices.
A longer statement shared by another activist organization, Les Soulèvements du fleuve, accused major grocery chains of using inflation as an excuse to raise prices while making record profits. “A handful of corporations are holding our basic needs hostage,” the statement said.
Mixed Reactions Online and Official Condemnation
Footage of Santas and elves carrying groceries quickly went viral, with many social media users praising the act as charitable rather than criminal. However, Metro spokesperson Geneviève Grégoire strongly condemned the incident.
“No matter the reason, it is unacceptable and a criminal act,” Grégoire said, emphasizing that retail theft has been rising across Canada. She cited figures from the Retail Council of Canada showing that retail crime caused $9.2 billion in losses nationwide in 2024.
Grégoire also defended Metro’s efforts to support communities, noting that in 2025 the company donated $1.15 million to food banks and provided millions of dollars’ worth of food products to charitable organizations.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing as they continue to review footage connected to the Santa-themed grocery raid.
