Eric Wickham
Toronto Police have laid almost 100 charges against 12 Chilean nationals in relation to a string of break-and-enters.
According to Const. Victor Kwong, the group used elaborate methods to break into several commercial buildings such as jewelry stores and pawn shops across the Greater Toronto Area.
“This group is alleged to have used torches and power tools to open safes and break through alarms and in some cases taking the safe right out of the location,” he said.
Kwong said the break-ins occurred in the early months of 2015.
Toronto Police executed several search warrants June 16, 2015. The officers made four arrests and seized Canadian and American cash, power tools, and hundreds of pieces of jewelry.
On Aug. 20, a man was arrested while boarding a flight from Toronto to Montreal. Police say they found him with false identification, stolen items, and over $25,000 in cash.
This week police executed six additional arrest warrants. During this arrest, investigators seized over $20,000 in cash, hundreds of pieces in jewelry, a kilogram of marijuana and fake ID’s.
The co-accused, who range in ages from 20 to 52, face 97 charges.
Kwong said the arrests made this week were a step forward in the on-going investigation.
“We have to remember the amount of damage done to stores,” Kwong added.
Police have also issued three Canada-wide warrants for suspects who are still at-large.
Officers believe they have returned to Chile.
Investigators are asking anyone with information to call 416-808-1300.