Rash of Toronto break-ins target pricey cars

TORONTO - Police are asking for the public's help in connection with a rash of break-and-enters in the Toronto area that targeted homes with expensive vehicles.

Two dozen high-end vehicles were reported stolen between Aug. 3 and Nov. 11, after break-ins at more than 20 homes, but on at least two occasions the would-be thieves were foiled.

Police say suspects forced open a window at a west-end home (in The Kingsway/Prince Edward Drive area) on Oct. 13 and searched for keys to a Maserati parked in the driveway — but they fled without the car.

They say suspects broke into another home (in the Royal York Road/Dundas Street West area) Nov. 10 and ransacked the place to find keys to an Escalade in the driveway.

Police say the suspects were unable to take the Escalade because of another vehicle parked in the driveway, but they made off with a large amount of jewelry, including a yellow diamond ring valued at more than $100,000.

Police have recovered three vehicles and posted security camera images of the suspects on their website.

(The Canadian Press, AM640)

Here's a link to the Toronto police release:

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/release.php?id=25212