NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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Investigators with the York Regional Police Integrated Property Crime Task Force (IPCTF) have charged 45 people with more than 200 offences in connection with residential break and enters, high-value distraction thefts and organized retail thefts in York Region.
Between April 2019 and October 2019, officers began an investigation into both individuals and groups who were committing residential break and enters throughout the Greater Toronto Area. The majority of these crimes occurred between the hours of 9 a.m., and 5 p.m., while people were at work or away from their residences. Investigators connected these suspects to 32 incidents that occurred in King, Aurora, Bradford, Barrie, Cobourg, Markham, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Richmond Hill, Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Mono and Georgetown.
IPCTF investigators also arrested two distraction theft crews in Markham involving nine suspects. In these incidents, victims were followed from a bank where their vehicles were disabled or left unattended, at which time the suspects would take the cash that was withdrawn from the bank. Numerous charges, including Theft Over $5,000, were laid in these incidents and $62,000 in cash was recovered.
Several of these suspects were also responsible for retail thefts targeting cellphone kiosks and high-end designer clothing stores. The retail thefts occurred in Vaughan, Oakville, Mississauga and Brampton. Multiple search warrants were executed between April 2019 and October 2019 on the suspects’ vehicles and residences. Officers seized more than $150,000 worth of stolen property including jewelry, designer bags, designer clothing, currency and vehicles.
Forty-five people face more than 200 charges, including Break and Enter, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime and Theft Over and Under $5,000.
Investigators have posted photos of recovered property at these links: here and here.. If you were a victim of one of these types of offences, please review the photos and contact investigators if you recognize your stolen property.
Many of the accused do not have resident status in Canada and 14 suspects have been deported to their countries of origin. Nine offenders without status in Canada are still before the courts. Immigration proceedings for those offenders will commence upon completion of their criminal charges. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and York Regional Police continue to work together to resolve immigration issues in this investigation.
York Regional Police would like to thank the many partnering agencies in Project Condor: the Toronto Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Halton Regional Police Service, Peel Regional Police, the South Simcoe Police Service, Barrie Police, the Durham Regional Police Service, Coburg Police Service and the CBSA. IPCTF investigators would also like to thank Property Crime Unit investigators at #1, #2, #4 and #5 Districts. These partnerships were crucial in the success of the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Integrated Property Crime Task Force at 1-866-876- 5423, ext.7232, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
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