Peel Regional Police have released new information regarding one of four incidents where professional photography equipment was stolen at a Pan Am venue.
On Wednesday, police released a photo and a detailed description of a man seen in surveillance video shortly after equipment went missing from the Mississauga Sports Complex on Sunday, July 12.
An independent photojournalist was working at the complex and walked away from their equipment during a break in the action between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The photographer left a Canon DSLR camera body and Canon 70-200mm lens unattended on the floor of the press room. The press room is only available to people who are accredited.
When the photographer returned to the area, police said the camera and lens were gone.
Investigators say the theft was captured on video and after reviewing the footage, a suspect was identified. The suspect is described as a white male, standing five-foot-ten-inches tall, wearing a khaki coloured cap, a blue golf shirt and khaki-coloured shorts.
This incident was one of four thefts reported to authorities since the games began on July 10.
Photographer Gary Hershorn told CP24.com that he had his gear stolen towards the end of the Games’ opening ceremony on Friday. He was sitting in an aisle seat in section 117 of the Rogers Centre, a designated photo position, packing up his things with his equipment – a 400 mm telephoto lens, a camera and a monopod – sitting right next to him. When he looked up from what he was doing, his equipment was gone.
At the Scarborough Aquatics Centre Sunday, a photographer told Toronto Police some of his equipment was stolen.
Police have not released information about the fourth incident but it was confirmed in a memo from Pan Am Games to media.
The memo urged media to keep a close eye on their belongings and to make use of lockers in the facility.
Anyone with information about this theft is asked to call police 905-453-2121, ext. 1233.
