Toronto police said a man faces 28 charges in connection with a series of break-ins in the south Etobicoke and Mississauga region.

Det. Const. Marland Thompson said the suspect is alleged to have broken into 24 homes from early February 2011 until his arrest on May 18.

Thompson said police were investigating several thefts from homes in a wide area that reached the Rexdale area to the north, the waterfront to the south, Cawthra Road in Mississauga in the west, and east to the Etobicoke Creek area.

Homes that were empty during the daytime were targeted in a series of thefts, and large quantities of jewelry and electronics were stolen in order to get a quick sale, police said.

Police recovered over 2,000 leftover items in their investigation. Officials estimate the items are worth approximately $25,000 to $30,000.

Thompson said the amount of property taken "is quite substantial." He said that families of many different backgrounds were targeted. Police said some of the theft victims felt very violated and felt the need to purchase a dog or security cameras as a result.

Police said they were first alerted to the suspect when a traffic officer stopped a man for failing to have licence plates on his car in March. The officer noted the driver had very distinctive red hair and made the connection when the 82-year-old neighbour of a broken-into home gave a similar description of a suspect in April.

Clifford Bell, 23, is currently charged with break and enter and failure to comply with probation.

Bell's girlfriend, Monica Warren, 20, is also charged.

Police are asking residents who want to avoid a break and enter at their home to keep in contact with their neighbours.

Police are inviting the residents who believe their property was stolen to come to the Toronto Police headquarters at 70 Birmingham St. on June 28 or July 24 between the hours of 12 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Visitors will be asked to bring identification and a detailed description of their stolen property. They will be allowed to view photos of the stolen items over a computer and will be asked to sign an affidavit if they recover an item.

Anyone with further information is asked to call the 22 Division at 416-808-2200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

With files from CTV Toronto's Naomi Parness.