The LCBO confirmed the news on Friday and said the employee worked at a store in Toronto's north end. The individual last worked on March 20.

The potential for crammed spaces risks spreading the virus, one expert said.

According to police, the man hid a bottle of alcohol on himself and tried to leave the store. A struggle broke out when staff approached him and the man pulled out a knife.

Police allege the pair stuffed a suitcase and a duffel bag with bottles of alcohol and walked out without paying.

On Jan. 3 at about 3:15 p.m., the York Regional Police Service received a call from the LCBO at Yonge Street and Davis Drive in Newmarket about a theft in progress, according to the SIU.

"(We've) got another one in the back here! Another one in the back!"

Investigators said efforts to address the issue of LCBO thefts began in March.

Orono has faced some recent economic troubles with a couple of important businesses shutting down but several new shops are starting to take their place.

It's the second on-demand delivery pilot launched by the LCBO and Foodora in Ontario.

Under the current system, a maximum of 450 grocery stores can sell alcohol, licensed retailers must charge identical prices for products, and bars and restaurants must purchase alcohol from the LCBO and the Beer Store at consumer prices rather than wholesale ones.