Police allege a loss prevention officer at a Hamilton grocery store was extorting customers.
They say investigators began looking into alleged extortion by an employee of Nations Fresh Foods last October.
Investigators allege a loss prevention officer was arresting people for alleged offences, such as shoplifting, and telling them they could avoid having the matter reported to police by paying a fee.
They say a 30-year-old Hamilton man is to appear in court March 27 charged with three counts of extortion and two counts of fraud under $5,000.
Detectives say they believe there may be more alleged victims who have not yet reported similar incidents.