Toronto Airport Heist: C$20m in Valuables Stolen, Say Police
Police are investigating a massive gold theft at Toronto Pearson International Airport, a common shipping hub for Ontario-mined gold.
On Monday, April 17, according to Canadian officials, more than $20 million worth of gold and valuables were stolen.
The cargo-carrying aircraft container arrived at the airport in the evening and was transported to the cargo holding area.
Police believe that this is where the theft occurred.
The theft could be one of the largest in Canadian history, joining the 2011 and 2012 Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist, in which 3,000 tonnes of syrup worth $18.7 million were stolen from a Quebec storage facility.
Inspector Stephen Duivesteyn of the Peel Regional Police stated that his team is investigating “all avenues” and that Monday’s incident is isolated and rare.
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Mr. Duivesteyn stated at a Thursday press conference at the airport that the missing aircraft container was approximately 5 square feet (0.46 square meters) in size and “contained other items of monetary value” in addition to the gold.
Officials have refused to disclose which airline transported the cargo, its origin, or its destination.
“Our goal is to solve this theft,” Mr. Duivesteyn stated. “We desire a solution. I cannot provide exact details.”
However, travelers are not at risk, he continued. We do not consider this a matter of public safety.
The Toronto Sun reported earlier on Thursday that police suspected involvement from organized crime groups. Mr. Duivesteyn remarked that it was too soon to tell.
“After three days, our investigators are keeping all options open,” he said. “We’re keeping a broad perspective, so we’re investigating this theft from all angles.”
The airport stated in a statement that the thieves did not gain access to the airport itself, but rather “accessed the public side of a leased warehouse outside of our primary security line.”
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