Toronto police say they have arrested 12 Chilean nationals, who allegedly entered Canada via the United States, using fraudulent identifications after a series of commercial break-and-enters in the Toronto area.
Police say that a number of commercial premises, including jewelry and pawn shops, throughout the GTA were broken into by a group of men wearing disguises, during the early months of 2015.
According to police, the men would enter the premise and disable or completely remove the safes. During the robberies, large quantities of cash and jewelry were stolen, police say.
On June 16, police say they executed search warrants in relation to the robberies and seized a number of items, including power tools, hundreds of pieces of jewelry, and cash.
Police say four people, between the ages of 24 and 52, were arrested and charged with a number of offences including break-and-enter and possession of burglar tools.
On Aug. 20, police say they arrested a 44-year-old man while boarding a flight from Toronto to Montreal. According to police, he was in possession of $25,000 and stolen items. He also faces multiple charges, including break-and enter.
On Sept. 20, police say they arrested eight more people in connection with the break-and-enters during a search warrant that was executed in Toronto. They face similar charges, including break-and-enter and possession of burglar tools. Police say they also recovered a large sum of cash, jewelry, marijuana and fraudulent identifications.
According to police, Canada-wide warrants have been issued for three more people who are believed to have returned to Chile.
Police are searching for 45-year-old Carlos Fernando Orellana Pizarro, 26-year-old Ricardo Javier Parada Neira and 39-year-old Daniel Elias Morales Elgueta.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1300 or through Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.
