York Regional Police have charged 20 individuals with more than 200 offenses following a series of residential break-and-enters linked to international crime tourism.
The investigation, dubbed Project Dusk, targeted a rise in burglaries that occur each fall during Daylight Saving Time, police announced at a news conference on February 20.
“These groups come to Canada in the fall, commit crimes, and return home in the spring,” explained Det.-Sgt. Pat Smyth, noting that the suspects are linked to Latin American and Eastern European theft rings.
Typically, these organized groups strike between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., waiting for homeowners to leave for groceries, gym visits, or dinner. They use signal jammers to disable security cameras, Wi-Fi, and alarm systems, making detection difficult.
Once inside, suspects ransack homes in a matter of minutes, stealing jewelry, cash, electronics, handbags, and sentimental family heirlooms.
During the press conference, a break-in victim shared the emotional toll of the crime, revealing that her late father’s wedding band and her mother’s engagement ring were stolen.
“No amount of money could ever replace those things,” she said tearfully. “They are reminders of love, family, and a man who can never be replaced.”
She described the violation of her home, saying, “Every drawer emptied, every piece of furniture overturned… Our sense of safety is destroyed.”
York Regional Police confirmed that six separate organized crime groups were disrupted during Project Dusk.
While 20 suspects have been arrested, one remains at large. The investigation is ongoing.