Two Chilean men have been arrested following a proactive traffic stop in Oakville.
On Friday, November 29th, at roughly 6:13 p.m., the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) observed a white Dodge SUV parked suspiciously on Lions Valley Park Road near the entrance to a trail system which led to Forest Manor Gate. Officers conducted a traffic stop and three suspects dressed in dark clothing ran from the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was immediately taken into custody and a second suspect was apprehended after a short on-foot pursuit.
As a result of the on scene investigation, 28-year-old Bastian Luciano Pinto Mell and 28-year-old Esteban Leonardo Beroiza Rios, both from Chile and of no fixed address, have been charged with the following offences:
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence – Break and Enter
- Possession of Break and Enter Instruments
The two have been held in custody pending a bail hearing.
The HPRS says it is believed the arrested men are part of a South American Theft Group that operate in Southern Ontario in the late fall to early spring committing organized residential break and enters.
“Organized Crime knows no jurisdictional boundary,” says Superintendent Dave Costantini. “We are well aware of South American Theft Groups targeting our community and have taken steps to bolster public safety. Our message to these theft groups is simple: We will be relentless in our pursuit to apprehend you, and it is only a matter of time. We will continue to work with our policing partners, the Canada Border Services Agency, and our community members to ensure that members of these groups are held accountable.”
Efforts to identify the two remaining suspects are ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation, including any security or dash cam video from the area of Forest Manor Gate and Riverbank Way between the hours of 5:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. is asked to contact the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2216
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
