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2d ago

Montreal Police Probe $3,000 ‘Robin Hood’ Grocery Raid by Santas and Elves

Activists say the stunt protested rising grocery prices by redirecting food to local drop-offs.

Food allegedly taken from a Montreal grocery store by a group calling themselves Robins des Ruelles -- Robins of the alleys -- is seen placed a public square in the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough at the foot of a Christmas tree, with a note from the alleged thieves, in this composite of undated handout photos. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout -- Les Soulèvements du fleuve, on behalf of Robin des Ruelles (Mandatory Credit)
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Overview

  • Montreal police are investigating a theft under $5,000 at a Metro on Laurier Avenue and are reviewing surveillance and social media video, with no arrests reported as of Friday.
  • An activist group, Robins des Ruelles, claimed responsibility and said several Santas with about 40 masked elves took roughly $3,000 in groceries.
  • The group says part of the haul was placed under a Christmas tree at Place Valois, with the remainder destined for community fridges and food banks.
  • Organizers framed the action as a response to food costs and large grocers’ profits, noting grocery prices rose 4.7% year over year in November.
  • Metro condemned the incident as criminal, pointed to nationwide retail losses and said it contributed cash and food products to charities in 2025.