'Very rare' heist at Toronto Pearson airport leads to $20M in gold, high-value goods stolen
A total of $20 million worth of gold and other high-value goods have been stolen after being offloaded from an aircraft at Toronto Pearson International Airport, police say.
Peel Regional Police said the heist occurred on Monday when a "high-value container" was stolen from a holding cargo facility after it was taken off a plane that landed at the airport.
"An aircraft arrived here at the airport in the early evening. As per normal procedure, the aircraft was unloaded and cargo was transported from the aircraft to a holding cargo facility," Inspector Stephen Duivesteyn said while announcing the theft.
Duivesteyn said after the cargo was secured in the holding facility, it was removed by "illegal means." The container was holding gold and other "high-value goods" worth $20 million.
The missing goods were reported to police a short time later. Police would not say what airline was responsible for shipping the cargo or where the plane arrived from.
"This is very rare," Duivesteyn said, adding that it's too early to know if the theft was carried out professionally.
Police also said they don't know where the gold is or if it's still in the country. Police said they believe this is an isolated incident.
"Our goal is to solve this theft," Duivesteyn said. "We want to solve it ...For the public worried about flying out, there should be no concern. We do not consider this a public safety matter."
Police speak about a $20M gold theft at Toronto Pearson Airport this week. (The Canadian Press)
No arrests have been made and police did not release any information on suspects.
“We are three days in, so our investigators have their eyes open to all avenues," Duivesteyn said.
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority confirmed to CTV News Toronto in a brief statement they are aware of the theft that occurred earlier this week.
"The GTAA wishes to clarify that thieves accessed the public side of a warehouse that is leased to a third party, outside of our primary security line," the statement reads. "This did not involve access to Toronto Pearson itself and did not pose a threat to passengers or GTAA staff."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A turbulent campaign nears its finale as Americans choose between Harris and Trump
A presidential campaign marked by upheaval and rancour headed for its Election Day finale on Tuesday, as Americans decided whether to send Donald Trump back to the White House or elevate Kamala Harris to the Oval Office.
Government calls $9M condo purchase an 'operational decision'
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly defends the purchase of a $9 million condo for the Consulate General of New York City at a parliamentary committee, as a necessary investment.
New homeowners find skeleton in attic 15 years after previous occupant disappeared
Homeowners in France have discovered a skeleton in the attic of an outbuilding while undertaking renovation work.
Netanyahu fires Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, after months of clashes over war and politics
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired Defence Minister Yoav Gallant after months of clashes over domestic politics and Israel’s war efforts.
Trudeau and Harris? Poilievre and Trump? Here's who Canadians think would work best with: survey
As Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, new data from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians hold differing views as to which federal party leaders would be best suited to deal with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
'Extreme disregard for the safety of others': Lamborghini driver gets prison sentence for 2021 Toronto crash
A mortgage broker who totalled his Lamborghini and left a passenger with life-altering injuries after trying to pass a Toronto streetcar at nearly three times the speed limit has been handed a two-and-a-half year prison sentence.
'I’m not proud of it': Jason Kelce apologizes after video shows him spiking a cellphone after fan used a homophobic slur
Jason Kelce issued an apology during ESPN's 'Monday Night Countdown' after a viral video captured a 'heated moment' between the retired Super Bowl champion and a fan over the weekend.
Prison sentences handed down for sexually abusive London, Ont. parents
In handing down the sentences for two London parents, Justice Thomas Heeney told the court, "The facts of this case were the most egregious that I have encountered during my 26 years on the bench."
Harris and Trump tie in Dixville Notch midnight vote to kick off Election Day
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former U.S. president Donald Trump have tied with three votes each in the tiny New Hampshire township of Dixville Notch, kicking off Election Day in one of the first places in the country to report its presidential preference.