80 Break And Enters – $870,000 In Vehicles Stolen – $72,000 Stolen From ATMs – Names Released

In January of 2016, the Waterloo Regional Police Crime Management Team began an investigation into the theft of motor vehicles from automotive dealerships and their subsequent use in the thefts of ATM machines located within commercial businesses. As the investigation broadened, police believe the same group of individuals is responsible for similar offences across Southern Ontario.

Police allege that the same group is responsible for approximately 80 separate Break and Enters to both commercial and residential locations. Locally including: The Kitchener Auditorium, Fairview Park Mall, Stampede Coral and numerous others. In total, 53 of the occurrences took place within Waterloo Region with the remainder happening throughout Southern Ontario.

The communities impacted and police agencies involved in the investigation are; Waterloo Regional Police Service, Guelph Police Service, Stratford Police Service, London Police Service, Wellington County OPP, Brant County OPP, Oxford County OPP, Peel Regional Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service, London Police Service, Toronto Police Service, York Regional Police Service, and Niagara Police Service.

Police believe this was a coordinated criminal operation which included a loss to victims in the following approximate amounts:

$ 870,000 in stolen vehicles

$ 387,120 in damage to Commercial Businesses in the course of the criminal acts

$ 72,490 in cash stolen from ATMs

$ 114,300 in cash and property stolen during the break ins

Between April and July of 2016, seven individuals were arrested and charged with 68 offences including; Break and Enter and Commit Break and Enter with Intent, Motor Vehicle Theft, Possession of Stolen Property, Dangerous Drive, Theft Under $5000, Obstruct Police and Mischief Over $5000. Individuals facing charges are:

20 year old Redwan HUSSEIN of Kitchener

21 year old Musie GHEBREMICHAEL of Kitchener

22 year old Fasal MUSHTAQ of Kitchener

23 year old Cathy PHANDANUVONG of Kitchener

24 year old Johnny NGUYEN of Kitchener

25 year old Leutrim ALIU of Kitchener

25 year old Arif MOHAMED of Kitchener

The investigation continues and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Waterloo Regional Police Service Crime Management Team at 519-650-8500 ext 4406 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

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