A man and woman are facing charges after police recovered $400,000 worth of collectibles stolen from six Ontario cities, including London.
The items were found during a search of a home, vehicle, and storage facility in Hamilton February 24. Earlier in the month, Halton Regional police launched an investigation, dubbed “Project Umbreon”, into several break and enters that targeted collectible stores in London, Oakville, Burlington, York, Brantford, and Niagara. They identified a suspect and obtained a search warrant for the residence and storage space and a vehicle belonging to a woman connected to the suspect.
Investigators seized a large quantity of stolen collectibles including high valued sports cards, Pokémon and other collectible cards, comic books, and figurines
Police estimate the value of the stolen items at approximately $400,000. Investigators are working to identify the rightful owners of the stolen collectibles.
A 32-year-old Stoney Creek man has been charged with over a dozen offences including four counts of breaking and entering, and disguise with intent, and one count each of trafficking in property obtained by crime, possession of break and enter instruments, possession of crime over $5,000, possession of a controlled substance, and failure to comply with probation order.
A 32-year-old Hamilton woman has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
The man was held in custody pending a bail hearing, while the woman has been released, police said.
Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call the Halton criminal investigations bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2216 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Read original story from London Ontario – BlackburnNews.com