Alleged members of global crime syndicate arrested after $3M jewelry heist in Montreal
Police believe that an organized crime group from South America was behind a massive jewelry heist at a shopping mall on Montreal's West Island overnight.
The suspects — eight men and two women between the ages of 19 and 38 — took off with a safe, jewelry and other items worth an estimated $3 million after breaking into the Fairview Pointe-Claire shopping centre late Thursday night, according to police.
The suspects, who are of Chilean origin, are believed to be part of the South American Theft Group (SATG), renowned for stealing money and property. The suspects, who don't speak English or French, allegedly used an incendiary device during the robbery, Noovo Info reported.
Shortly after the robbery, at around 1 a.m., Montreal police arrested them as they were attempting to flee in three vehicles, while others were arrested at their homes.
All of them appeared in court Friday to face charges of breaking and entering, theft, conspiracy, and other offences. They remain detained.
Montreal police (SPVM) have arrested eight men and two women in connection with a jewelry store robbery that occurred at the Fairview Pointe-Claire shopping centre.
Crime tourism
The so-called crime tourism trend has been going on for years.
"Operating in several countries, members of this criminal network travel to carry out organized theft activities. SATG is tracked by various police organizations and border services," police said in a news release.
Back in 2020, Montreal police said members of the criminal organization, who often go to foreign countries as tourists, stole $200,000 in a "carefully planned theft" from a currency exchange office in Montreal's Cartier neighbourhood.
Two years earlier, Halton Regional Police arrested more than a dozen Chilean nationals who allegedly broke into 400 homes in the Toronto area, stealing approximately $2.7 million in valuables over several months.
In 2015, Toronto police also arrested 12 Chileans and laid over 97 charges in relation to another operation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2 died in plane crash near Squamish, B.C., police confirm
Two people died after a plane went down in a remote area near Squamish, B.C. on Friday, authorities have confirmed.
Grayson Murray's parents say the two-time PGA Tour winner died of suicide
Grayson Murray's parents said Sunday their 30-year-old son took his own life, just one day after he withdrew from a PGA Tour event.
At least 15 dead after severe weather carves path of ruin across multiple U.S. states in the South
Powerful storms killed at least 15 people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
After more than 100 years, Newfoundland's unknown soldier returns home
An unknown Newfoundland soldier, who fought and died on the battlefields in northeastern France during the First World War, is back home this weekend for the first time in more than a hundred years.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
Indianapolis 500 starts after 4-hour rain delay with Kyle Larson in the field
The Indianapolis 500 started Sunday after a rain delay of four hours with NASCAR star Kyle Larson still at the track and in the race.