A bizarre scene unfolded Monday night in Montreal’s Plateau neighborhood: a brazen theft carried out not by hardened criminals, but by a crew dressed as Santa Claus and masked elves. The audacious act targeted a Metro grocery store, leaving authorities and shoppers alike stunned.
Videos quickly spread online, depicting a swarm of individuals in festive disguises filling bags with groceries and calmly walking out of the store without paying. The group has since claimed responsibility, identifying themselves as “Robins des Ruelles” – a nod to the legendary Robin Hood.
Police confirmed the incident occurred at 9:40 p.m. on Laurier Avenue, estimating the value of the stolen food to be under $5,000. However, a statement released on behalf of the group suggests a different figure, placing the value at $3,000.
According to the group, the act wasn’t simply theft, but a deliberate political statement. They described a coordinated effort involving three Santas and approximately forty elves, all working to redistribute essential goods.
The aftermath was equally striking. Some of the stolen food appeared under a Christmas tree in Place Valois square, in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough. The remaining provisions are intended for a community food drive, according to those involved.
A note left with the donated food directly challenged the practices of large grocery chains like Metro. The message accused these companies of exploiting the public, prioritizing profit over the basic needs of the population, and framing *them* as the true perpetrators of theft.
As of Wednesday, no arrests have been made. Police are actively reviewing surveillance footage and the widely circulated social media videos, attempting to identify the individuals involved and determine the full extent of the operation.
The investigation continues, but the incident has already sparked a conversation about economic inequality and the lengths to which some will go to address perceived injustices, all while dressed in the symbols of the holiday season.
