A man has been arrested after being investigated for running an illegal pawn shop operation in Toronto’s east end.

On Jan. 4, a search warrant was executed and a man was arrested for operating an illegal pawn shop in the Dundas Street East and Parliament Street area.

The store owner allegedly was found to be in possession of multiple stolen bicycles and was operating his shop without a licence.

Meareg Asefa, 47, of Toronto, has been charged with 10 different offences including trafficking and possessing property and proceeds obtained by crime, and being a second hand dealer with no licence.

He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on Feb. 12.