York Regional Police have released photos of hundreds of items stolen during at least 20 residential break-and-enters allegedly conducted by an organized crime-tourism group, leading to four Chilean nationals being charged.
Items Recovered and Investigation Details
The photos include jewelry, purses, clothing, coins, currency, and shoes. Police launched Project Towns in April to combat the break-ins, noting that suspects allegedly entered homes through rear basement glass doors and targeted cash, high-end clothing, jewelry, and firearms.
On May 13 around 10 p.m., officers responded to a residential break-and-enter in the area of Clark Avenue and Dufferin Street in Vaughan. They located a suspect vehicle and took three people into custody. Subsequent search warrants were executed at residences in Toronto and Mississauga, leading to the recovery of stolen property.
Process for Claiming Items
A Dropbox folder has been set up with photos of unclaimed items. Police ask anyone who was a victim of a residential break-and-enter between January and May to review the photos and contact them if they recognize any items. A verification process will be required before property is returned. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 1-866-876-5423, extension 7232, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.1800222tips.com.
Charges Laid Against Four Individuals
At the time of arrests, two suspects were on judicial release orders for unrelated incidents. The following individuals have been charged:
- Jose Ricardo Vargas Sepulveda, 24, of Chile, faces five counts of break and enter with intent, seven counts of break and enter commit, and one count each of disguise with intent, possession of break-in instruments, possession of property obtained by crime, and failure to comply with a judicial release order.
- Rodrigo Ariel Correa Paredes, 24, of Chile, faces five counts of break and enter with intent, seven counts of break and enter commit, and one count each of disguise with intent and possession of break-in instruments.
- Danil Alexis Carrasco Cruces, 44, of Chile, faces four counts of break and enter with intent, three counts of break and enter commit, and one count each of disguise with intent, possession of break-in instruments, and failure to comply with a judicial release order.
- Rose Marie Monroy Sepulveda, 27, of Chile, faces one count of break and enter with intent, five counts of break and enter commit, and one count of possession of property obtained by crime.
Police continue to investigate and urge anyone with information to come forward.
