Montreal police say they've shut down the activities of a group of thieves that have been breaking into luxury homes and businesses over the past 18 months or so.
Police believe the group, said to be of South American origin, is responsible for no less than 130 break-ins since June of 2016 — including several on the West Island.
In the past month, police have carried out nine raids and arrested 12 people in Montreal, Laval and Boucherville. Police believe some of the suspects may also be tied to a spectacular armored truck robbery in the Toronto area, and suggest the heads of the ring used people with precarious status in Canada, such as foreign visitors, to commit robberies.
Of the 12 arrested, seven of them have appeared in court — Mario Stephano Guillerno Astudillo Olivares, 26, Hans Leonardo Llanquinao Gonzalez, 37, Carlos Mendez, 40, Enrique Felipe Mendez, 24, Luis Tito Parades Pinedo, 51, Simon Perez, 50, and Hugo David Ruiz Santibanez, 41 — to face various charges, including including break and enters, theft over $5,000 and conspiracy.
Perez had been arrested for a robbery in the Outremont area in August. A series of searches carried out following his arrest allowed investigators to recover several valuable items, including sports memorabilia.