Thieves make off with safe of coins

[attach]2837[/attach]Toronto Police say that upscale homes in affluent midtown neighbourhoods are being targeted for break-and-enters and that thieves have made off with over $100,000 in cash and coins.

“We’ve had a few different higher end homes that have been broken into where the safes were the main target of the thieves,” said Detective Constable Corey Crawford from 53 division.

On the evening of Nov. 3, a safe containing 10 valuable gold coins was stolen from a home on Russell Hill Road in Forest Hill. The Israeli bullion coins are worth $10,000 each.

The next evening, a robbery occurred at a home on Dawlish Avenue in the Lawrence Park area. A quantity of cash was stolen along with a number of gold coins from Iran dating back to the Pahlavi dynasty.

“No one was home at the time,” Crawford said. “In both cases a safe in the home was targeted. It appears that they had prior knowledge that the safes were there.”

Crawford also said that it appears as if organized crime is involved in the slew of robberies.

The break-ins have mostly been in the Forest Hill, Leaside and Lawrence Park neighbourhoods. With the number of thefts taking place recently, residents are urged to ensure the safety of their homes.

“In a lot of the cases the alarms weren’t activated. So we’re just saying activate your alarms,” Crawford said. “In some cases back doors were left open so make sure all doors and windows are locked before you leave the home.”

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call 53 division at 416-808-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS.

“We’re encouraging people to write down license plates or call us if you see anything suspicious,” Crawford said.