Suspect charged, another wanted after copper wire theft

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A 39-year-old Toronto man has been charged with theft-related offences as cops continue to hunt for another suspect linked to a copper wire heist last weekend in North York.

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Toronto Police said they responded to a break-and-enter call Saturday at about 8:20 p.m. in the Weston Rd.-Garyray Dr. area, where two men drove to a business in a white SUV, broke in and stole about $10,000 worth of copper wire.

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Zsolt Szendrei was arrested Sunday and charged with break and enter, disguise with intent, possession of break-in instruments, theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and possession of proceeds or a thing obtained by crime.

Police said there may be more victims and that they also want to identify a second male suspect who is about 20 to 30 years old and was wearing a light-coloured sweater, white pants and black and white shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 or 222tips.com.

Halton cops warn of counterfeit currency

Halton Region residents are warned to be on the lookout for counterfeit currency, especially when making social media transactions.

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Halton Regional Police said they received 92 reports last year involving fake banknotes and that a “significant number” of incidents were tied to the purchase of items on online platforms like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace.

“Counterfeit banknotes have also been detected at retail businesses throughout the region,” police said in a news release.

“The HRPS is reminding the public that while counterfeit banknotes may initially appear genuine, closer inspection often reveals warning signs.”

Police said to be on the lookout for repeated serial numbers on multiple banknotes, words like “prop money” or “for motion picture use,” a holographic strip that appears to be a removable sticker and poor print quality.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 905-825-4777 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or haltoncrimestoppers.ca.

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Distraction thefts on rise in Halton Region

Halton Regional Police said they are seeing a “concerning trend” of distraction thefts in the region and elsewhere in the GTHA.

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Police said suspects have been approaching seniors in public and engaging them by asking for directions or offering a false gesture of goodwill, such as requesting prayers for a sick family member.

The suspect will then distract the victim with a hug or by placing inexpensive costume jewelry on them as a so-called “gift” before removing real jewelry being worn by the victim.

Police said victims are most often targeted while walking in urban areas and are approached at the side of the road. Suspects are typically female and will exit a vehicle to initiate contact.

Anyone with information – including the physical description of suspects or details of the vehicle involved – are asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or haltoncrimestoppers.ca.

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