In a story that echoes the sentiments of country music star Jason Aldean's hit song "Try That In A Small Town," thieves who targeted a Sobeys grocery store in Gravenhurst, Ontario, learned a hard lesson. The alleged criminals, hailing from Toronto, attempted to steal $3,000 worth of baby formula but were swiftly apprehended thanks to the quick actions of store staff and the Ontario Provincial Police.
The Incident Unfolds
On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at around 4:45 p.m., three males entered the Sobeys store in Gravenhurst, a popular cottage country destination. According to police, the suspects took multiple containers of baby formula, passed through the checkout line without paying, and attempted to flee in a white van. However, the store's employees were well-prepared.
Staff and Police Collaboration
Jesse Grimes, the store's owner and operator, was taking his son to hockey when he received a call from a manager about the theft. "It all happened so fast," Grimes said. He praised his staff for their training and composure. "Sobeys is a great company, and I have a great staff. We are trained on what to do."
One employee promptly called 911, while another captured a photo of the suspect vehicle's license plate. The OPP quickly responded. "The police were on it very fast. It was excellent police work," Grimes added.
Police Action and Arrests
An off-duty police officer became aware of the incident, and officers tracked the white cube van southbound on Highway 11. Orillia OPP officers conducted a traffic stop on Atlantis Drive in Orillia, where all three suspects were taken into custody.
The OPP charged David Ronto, 43, of Scarborough; Karoly Vadasz, 34, of North York; and a 16-year-old boy from North York with theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime. The adults are scheduled to appear in court in Bracebridge on June 23, while the teenager will appear in Bracebridge Youth Court on July 2. The charges have not yet been tested in court.
Community Reaction
Former Toronto police officer and crime specialist Ross McLean commended the policing, calling it "old time" policing that still works in smaller centres. "There is no better deterrent than getting caught and going to jail," McLean said.
Grimes noted that Gravenhurst has seen a trend of criminals from the Greater Toronto Area targeting local stores. The stolen baby formula is often sold on the black market or used to cut illegal narcotics. The OPP returned all $3,000 worth of formula to the store.
A Generous Community
Ironically, if the accused had truly needed baby formula, Gravenhurst is known for its charitable spirit. Last year, Grimes and his staff prepared care packages for hundreds of truckers stranded on the highway during a snowstorm and personally delivered them.
"These are good people," Grimes said. "But if you try to steal from them, you are on your own." The incident serves as a warning to would-be thieves: small towns like Gravenhurst are not easy targets.
