An “organized crime-tourism” group appears to be behind at least 20 residential break-ins across the Greater Toronto Area, police say.
York Regional Police say that officers began an investigation into a series of break-and-enters tied to the group in April.
Police say that the suspects entered residences through rear basement glass doors and would then target cash, high-end clothing, jewelry and firearms.
Four individuals connected to “an organized crime-tourism group” were arrested on Wednesday, investigators said in a press release.
“Crime tourism refers to incidents where organized criminal rings legally enter countries as tourists to commit coordinated criminal offences,” York Regional Police Const. James Dickson told CP24 in an email Tuesday.
Three of the suspects were arrested after police responded to a break-in call near Clark Avenue and Dufferin Street. The fourth suspect was arrested after search warrants were executed at residences in Toronto and Mississauga, investigators say. Police report finding stolen property, break-in tools, and a radio frequency jammer during the searches.
The arrests are part of “Project Towns,” a York police investigation to combat break-ins.
“The investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are anticipated,” police say.
Jose Ricardo Vargas Sepulveda, 24, Rodrigo Ariel Correa Paredes, 24, Danil Alexis Carrasco Cruces, 44, and Rose Marie Monroy Sepulveda, 27, all of Chile, are facing a combined 47 charges in connection with the investigation. A full list of charges can be found here.
