Cambridge Ice Cream Theft Leads to Charges, Police Search for Third Suspect

Waterloo Regional Police have laid charges after dozens of tubs of ice cream and other merchandise were stolen from a longtime Cambridge, Ontario eatery earlier this month.

The theft happened at L.A. Frank’s on May 3. Owner Russ Thomas said he arrived at the business around 7 a.m. and discovered the back door of a storage shed had been cut open.

According to Thomas, the suspects appeared to have used a battery-powered grinder to cut through locking bolts before taking between 25 and 30 tubs of ice cream. Pop, water, oil and small equipment were also stolen.

“It’s ice cream, you know, let’s face it, it’s not that big of a deal, but theft is theft,” Thomas told CTV News.

Waterloo Regional Police said investigators determined about $1,600 worth of soda and ice cream was stolen. The break-in also caused an estimated $500 in property damage.

Police announced Tuesday that a 38-year-old Cambridge man had been arrested and charged with several offences, including disguise with intent, break and enter, three counts of theft under $5,000, mischief under $5,000 and three counts of possession of property obtained by crime.

Investigators have also issued an arrest warrant for a 45-year-old Cambridge man. He is wanted on charges including break and enter, theft under $5,000, mischief under $5,000 and failing to comply with a judicial order.

Police are still searching for a third suspect. Investigators released photos of the individual, described as a white man last seen wearing a dark jacket with white trim, military-style pants and a dark toque with a white crest.

The unusual nature of the theft has left the business owner with one lingering question.

“I guess the big question for me is, ‘What did you do with all the ice cream?’ That’s what people have been asking me,” Thomas said. “I don’t believe it’s something that they stole to sell. Maybe it’s floating down the river. Maybe they got sore tummies.”

Despite the loss, Thomas said the Cambridge community has rallied around the business since the break-in.

“We’ve had a lot of customer support, a lot of feedback. People coming down and supporting,” he said.

Thomas also thanked Shaw’s Ice Cream in Tillsonburg for reaching out and helping the business recover.

Since the theft, the damaged locks have been replaced and security cameras remain in use as staff continue moving forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterloo Regional Police at 519-570-9777 ext. 2299.

This story is covered in this week’s Keep Canada Weird news roundup.