York Regional Police are searching for a man caught on camera stealing two garbage bags full of chewing gum, valued at $1,528. Screenshot courtesy of OfficialYRP/YouTube

MARKHAM , Ontario, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Canadian police are searching for a man accused of staling over $1,500 worth of chewing gum from a local pharmacy.

Surveillance footage posted to YouTube by York Regional Police shows the man entering the pharmacy in Markham holding a garbage bag after arriving by taxi.


"A few moments later he re-enters the store, fills another garbage bag with chewing gum and walks out again," York Regional Police said in a statement posted to Facebook. "It is believed that the man loaded both garbage bags into the taxi that was waiting for him and left."

Police estimate the cost of the gum at $1,528 and are seeking the public's help to identify the suspect.

"Investigators have exhausted all leads and are releasing video surveillance as well as images of the suspect and seeking public assistance to identify this man," the statement said.

According to police the crime took place on Dec. 17 at 7:20 p.m. T