The Halton Regional Police Service, with the assistance of the Montreal Police Service, York Regional Police Service, and the Canada Border Services Agency have teamed up to capture seven individuals believed to be involved in a South American theft group. This group is alleged to have participated in a residential break-in and shoplifting crime spree across the GTA.
This investigation began in early May 2019, when the Montreal Police alerted the Halton Regional Police Service of several individuals attending the GTA for the purpose of committing residential break and enters. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the group had committed entries in Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Georgetown, and Pickering. These entries are alleged to have occurred between May 5 and May 15, 2019.
On May 14, 2019, at 8:30 pm, the Halton Regional Police Service observed a group of individuals attend the Toronto Premium Outlet Mall, where they were witnessed entering the Tommy Hilfiger store. Within 15 minutes, the individuals exited the store with several reusable shopping bags and fled the scene. Police later learned that the group had stolen over $1,300 worth of merchandise from the store.
On May 15, 2019, police followed two males to a residence in Pickering, where they were observed breaking into a residence. Both males were arrested shortly thereafter and were found to be in possession of property believed to have been stolen from the residence.
Police spent the remainder of May 15, 2019, executing two search warrants in North York and in Mississauga and arrested five other suspects. Investigators are now working to identify the origins of all the recovered property. Although the exact total has yet to be calculated, investigators believe approximately $150,000 worth of jewelry, watches, perfume/cologne and designer clothing was recovered.
This group is believed to have committed other entries and thefts across the GTA. The Halton Police are currently working with their policing partners in efforts determine what other crimes this group has committed during this crime spree.
South American theft group charges:
22 year-old of no fixed address
-Seven counts of break and enter
-Theft - Under $5,000
-Possession of property obtained by crime - Over $5,000
-Eight counts of fail to comply with probation order
22 year-old from Vaughan
-Break and Enter
-Theft - Under $5,000
-Possession of property obtained by crime - Over $5,000
-Two counts of fail to comply with probation order
-Fail to comply with recognizance
23 year-old from Vaughan
-Theft - Under $5,000
-Possession of property obtained by crime - Over $5,000
The results from this investigation demonstrate the effectiveness of police collaborating with their partners, including police from neighbouring provinces, in order to reduce the risk factors that affect community safety.
30 year-old from Laval, QC
-Theft - Under $5,000
-Possession of property obtained by crime - Over $5,000
-Fail to comply with probation order
26 year-old from Vaughan
-Theft - Under $5,000
-Possession of property obtained by crime - Over $5,000
-Four counts of fail to comply with probation order
-Two counts of fail to comply with recognizance
44 year-old from Richmond Hill
-Theft - Under $5,000
-Possession of property obtained by crime - Over $5,000
29 year-old from the Dominican Republic
-Theft - Under $5,000
-Possession of property obtained by crime - Over $5,000
-Fail to comply with recognizance
All six individuals were held in custody pending bail hearings.
Some of the arrested individuals have ties to Chile, Colombia, and Dominican Republic. The Halton Regional Police is working hand in hand with the Canada Border Services Agency to determine their current status in Canada.
Anyone with further information pertaining to this investigation can contact D/Cst. John McMullan of the District 2 Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2217.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers "See Something? Hear Something? Know Something? Contact Crime Stoppers" at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
Please be reminded that all persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.