Canadian Tire employee allegedly steals 67 barbecues then sells them back to Canadian Tire

A Canadian Tire employee in Sherbrooke admitted to stealing over $100,000 in equipment, authorities say. He was reportedly selling the the stolen merchandise right back to Canadian Tire over the internet and during working hours.

The man allegedly admitted to using a company truck to steal objects from the store’s warehouse and to then deliver them to his own home, before listing the barbecues on the internet and selling them back to Canadian Tire, according to TVA Nouvelles.

The 26-year-old managed to steal about 67 barbecues, 64 air conditioners, 55 generators, 24 TV’s, a lawn tractor, a treadmill, a heating system, tools and cooking accessories all in the past 90 days.

The stolen property is valued at about $126,000, according to police.

"We were able to recover a good part of the booty in his garage," said Martin Carrier, a Sherbrooke police spokesperson.

Authorities say Nicolas Paquette’s bosses had questioned him after he returned to the store in a company vehicle on Wednesday afternoon.

"He immediately confessed to his bosses that he had been stealing equipment for three months," Constable Carrier said.

The employee made several trips from the company’s warehouse to his home in the Waterville sector with various items.

Authorities say the young man then proceeded to sell the objects online.

Paquette is scheduled to appear in a Sherbrooke court on Thursday for charges including break and enter.