Four facing charges after $60K stolen from Guelph jewellery stores

A Guelph smash-and-grab heist ended with four Toronto residents facing several charges, including a father-daughter duo.

In May, police in the Royal City reported that two males were driving a stolen Chevrolet Camaro and went to two businesses at a south-end plaza. They smashed the glass doors to get in and stole merchandise and electronic devices.

Less than two hours later, the Camaro was seen heading to a west-end jewellery store, where one of the men smashed another door to gain entry while the other acted as a lookout. In that heist, they stole approximately $60,000 worth of jewellery, according to the press release.

The same Wednesday afternoon, the investigation led Guelph officers to an address in Toronto.

Officials went to the apartment and were told by the building’s property manager that the surveillance cameras were not working. Police said they believe the property manager and his daughter helped one of the suspects escape the building with the jewellery.

Then, in August, one of the suspects went with two other unknown people in a stolen Range Rover to a jewellery store on Speedvale Avenue East. In this incident, they used a sledgehammer to smash the door and steal about $7,700 worth of jewellery.

Guelph police conducted a lengthy investigation, they said, including several units and executing multiple search warrants at three Toronto addresses.

“The results of this investigation by our Break Enter Auto Theft Unit demonstrates the important work being done by our members and the impact of the critical public safety investments supported by our Guelph Police Service Board and our City Council,” Gord Cobey, Guelph Police Chief, said.

In the searches, a quantity of jewellery was found.

As a result, the two men and the father and daughter are facing charges.

• A 34-year-old Toronto man is charged with three counts of break and enter, possessing stolen property over $5,000, trafficking stolen property, disguise with intent, occupying a stolen vehicle and two counts of failing to comply with a release order
• A 31-year-old Toronto man is charged with four counts of break and enter, possessing stolen property over $5,000, two counts of disguise with intent, occupying a stolen vehicle, possessing stolen property under $5,000 and breaching a probation order
• A 24-year-old Toronto woman is wanted for obstructing police and trafficking stolen property
• A 70-year-old Toronto man is charged with obstructing police

The two younger men were held for bail hearings, and the older adult is set for court in the new year.

The woman has not be found by police and the investigation is ongoing.